When a Beaverton, Ont., woman got a call from someone who told her she was eligible for a government carbon tax rebate, she says she initially believed them, but instead ended up trapped in an expensive home guarantee program.
“I don’t know what I was thinking the moment I got into this horrible mess and I just want out,” Glady La Chappelle told CTV News Toronto on Thursday.
La Chappelle said she received a phone call in June from a company that told her she could get the money back in the form of a carbon tax refund, if she provided her bank information for the deposit.
“They wanted my bank information and said it would be automatically put into my account. I ended up doing it,” he said.
La Chappelle said she never received a refund, but she soon noticed monthly charges coming out of her account.
“I went to my bank account and noticed this money coming out and I didn’t know what it was for,” he said.
La Chappelle said the bank told her she had signed up with Ontario Home Protection, a company that sells appliance warranties.
Two payments of $88.05 had come out of her account, she says, and when she called the company they told her she was signed to a five-year commitment that would total more than $5,000.
When he wanted to cancel the contract, he says he was told there was a $900 cancellation fee.
“I just can’t afford this and I don’t know what to do and it’s been stressing me out,” La Chappelle said.
According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of central Ontario, there have been complaints about Ontario Home Protection in the past three years related to what the BBB called “deceptive sales practices.”
Angela Dennis, president and CEO of the BBB, said: “Our profile shows that the company has numerous complaints.”
The company currently has an “F” on the BBB website; the lowest BBB rating.
“Some consumer complaints indicated that the company said the government was giving them a rebate, but they were also being charged a monthly charge to their bank account for their appliance warranties,” Dennis said.
Ontario Home Protection was also fined $160,000 by the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission on December 8, 2021 for violating rules related to the Do Not Call List.
CTV News Toronto contacted Ontario Home Protection and a spokesperson said Ms. La Chappelle signed a home warranty agreement with Ontario Home Protection (OHP) on June 7.
“Millisecond. La Chappelle received a copy of the agreement in the mail and a verification call was made by a third party. The promotion at that time included a 15-day free trial, in which to review the agreement. At this time, Ms. La Chappelle provided your payment information and authorized OHP to process your payment.”
OHP confirmed that La Chappelle contacted OHP requesting to cancel on August 19.
“Millisecond. La Chappelle was offered several resolutions. OHP understands that the Home Warranty Program is not for everyone and encourages all interested parties to do their own research and explore coverage details before signing up.” ”.
After CTV News Toronto contacted Ontario Home Protection, they refunded La Chappelle’s money and canceled the contract without penalty.
“This is a huge relief,” he said.
In addition to phone calls, you may also notice ads on social media saying you’re eligible for carbon tax rebates or other government programs, but be careful to know what you’re getting into and never give out your bank or other information. credit card. someone unless you know exactly what you’re signing up for.