Fake firewood sellers have never scammed Quebecers so much on classified ad sites, to the point where suppliers no longer hesitate to denounce these fraudsters on social networks.
“It’s crazy, I’ve never seen that. It’s worse than ever this year and I can confirm that it’s a scourge. Every week, customers tell me that they have been defrauded before I bring them my wood,” breathes Nicolas Paquette, discouraged.
Photo Nicolas Paquette
Nicolas Paquette
The owner of Le boisé Paquette, in Sherbrooke, denounced their scheme on the Internet. According to him, scammers first put a fake ad on Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji. The customer falls for the trap and then sends a cash deposit with an Interac e-Transfer.
The problem is that the order is never delivered and the scammer disappears from the Internet with his little loot. According to our information, the amounts requested vary between $80 to $500.
“It harms our industry because they use the photos and names of our companies on Facebook to make their false advertisements credible, thunders Mr. Paquette. We do not want to be associated with these frauds.”
Screenshot taken from the Facebook of Le boisé Paquette in Sherbrooke
Example of companies or individuals who have exposed firewood scammers on social media in the past few weeks.
Their usurped name
the Log contacted a dozen firewood sellers across the province. They all indicate having been confronted with these scams which are multiplying online.
Screenshot taken from the Facebook of the company Center du Foyer de l’Outaouais
Screenshot taken from the Facebook of Bois Franc Sec
Screenshot taken from the Facebook of the company GBS Heating Wood
“It’s the first time it’s happened to us this year. A customer called us to say that he had never received his wood purchased with us on Facebook Marketplace. I asked for the seller’s name and he didn’t have it. That’s when he realized he had been defrauded,” sighs Steve Desrochers, owner of D-Bois Express in Rouyn-Noranda.
Screenshot taken from the Facebook of the company D-Bois Express
Réjeanne Pelletier-Borduas, head of Bois de foyer Borduas, was also the victim of fraudsters who usurped the name of her company located in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.
“I immediately went to make a complaint to the police because we never ask for Interac transfers before delivery. Of course it’s not fun, I can’t believe that people do business in the same way, ”laments Ms. Pelletier-Borduas.
Geneviève Martel, co-owner of a supplier in Quebec, reported fraudsters last September to prevent others from being tricked. “They use our name to validate their scheme,” protested the entrepreneur.
Reports on the rise
Screenshot taken from the Facebook group “Firewood – Purchase/Sale in Quebec”
For its part, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center (CAFC) says it received at least 22 reports of firewood scams in 2022. This is an increase of six complaints, compared to the previous year.
“It’s important to meet the seller in person and to pay in cash as much as possible. Avoid sending deposits for products before seeing them in person. It’s also important to research and buy products from sellers who are known,” warns Jeff Horncastle, spokesperson for the CAFC.
Several police forces in Quebec have also entrusted the Log few people complain about it.
“People don’t want to bother the police for that, they are ashamed or think it’s small amounts. But it is important to file a complaint to quantify the phenomenon and have good evidence. It can also prevent others from being caught, ”insists agent Martin Carrier, public relations officer for the Service de police de Sherbrooke.
Screenshot taken from the Facebook of the Ville de Saint-Jérôme Police Department
The Ville de Saint-Jérôme Police Department warned its citizens about firewood fraud last September.
We test the scammers
Our representative put himself in the shoes of a firewood buyer to test the experience. Several dozen ads on Facebook Marketplace were without a doubt international fraud.
To spot them, simply contact fake suppliers who display their prices in euros. Others have trucks with European license plates. Some even offer hornbeam, but this is not really used as firewood in Quebec.
“We deliver everywhere without any problem. Oak, ash, hornbeam and even beech. Which one do you want?” asks a fake seller who claims to be called Gérard Pinette.
Quickly disappeared
the Log later asked him the name of his company and in which city it was based.
Screenshot taken from Facebook Messenger
Fake firewood sellers on Facebook Marketplace disappear into the mist when the Journal asks about their business.
“If you don’t want to buy, don’t bother us,” wrote Mr. Pinette, before disappearing into the mist and blocking our representative.
This same scenario played out with two other scammers who deleted their Facebook accounts after being asked about their business address.
Screenshot taken from Facebook Messenger
HOW TO AVOID FIREWOOD FRAUD?
- Ask to speak on the phone with the seller
- Demand to see the wood in person before buying it
- Never send an Interac e-Transfer to a provider
- Wait to receive your delivery before paying
- Fraudsters sell at abusively low prices
- Do your research on the credibility of the company
- Scammers will attempt to sell their timber with a sense of urgency
Source: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Sûreté du Québec and Sherbrooke Police Service