Calgary Fire Department warns of potential fraudulent furnace inspection scam

The Calgary Fire Department is warning residents about a potential scam after receiving reports of an individual falsely claiming to represent the fire department and offering free furnace inspections. 

The Calgary Fire Department does not conduct door-to-door furnace inspections or make unsolicited phone calls to offer this service. Anyone contacted with such an offer should be cautious, as it is likely fraudulent. Callers will even ‘spoof’ numbers so the call display may appear to indicate it is the fire department calling, however it is not. 

“If someone claims to be from the fire department and offers a free furnace inspection, it’s not us,” said Fire Chief Steve Dongworth. “We encourage residents to verify credentials and report any suspicious activity to the Calgary Police Service.”

With the recent carbon monoxide tragedy in Shawnessy, which was believed to be related to a furnace issue, citizens may be more likely to accept such an offer, however, people are encouraged to seek out a certified natural gas appliance professional who works for a reputable HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) business. Some things to consider when looking for an HVAC specialist is: 

1. Seek reliable references and referrals.
2. Look for proper licensing and certifications.
3. Look for extensive experience and expertise.

The Calgary Police Service advises residents to:

• Never share personal information over the phone, in person, or allow unknown individuals into your homes without proper verification. 
• Collect detailed descriptions of individuals and any vehicle information including licence plate numbers.
• Be cautious of unexpected visitors to verify their identity before allowing entry.
• All suspicious activity should be reported to the Calgary Police Service at 403-266-1234 or online through the non-emergency reporting system.

For fire safety, fire prevention information and official fire department programs, please visit calgary.ca/fire. 

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