Authorities are looking into a Quebec company that is illegally knocking on doors to inspect homes and provide questionable services.
“Do you have the right to do this? […] Can I take a photo of your ID?”, launches a man, in a video where he films an employee of Groupe Réno assistance Québec (RAQ) who does not answer his questions.
In this 22-second sequence published on social networks to warn the public, we see an alleged inspector in Laval going door to door. This one sells its services which aim to reduce the electricity costs of a house. He wears a safety jacket and a helmet with the mention RAQ.
The problem is that Groupe Réno assistance Québec is not authorized to sell by peddling according to the Consumer Protection Office (OPC).
“So they don’t have an itinerant trader’s license, as required by law. […]. This permit is mandatory to go door-to-door, even when the consumer has accepted a visit after filling out a form on Facebook,” warns Charles Tanguay, spokesperson for the Office.
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Beware
The OPC has confirmed that it is “currently doing checks” on the RAQ Group. Note that the company is not registered with the Registraire des entreprises Québec.
The Journal has also found several publications on social networks where Quebecers denounce the peddling of the RAQ Group in Greater Montreal, but also in the Laurentians.
Screenshot of the Facebook group “City SAINTE-ANNE-DES-PLAINES”
Screenshot of the West Island Community Facebook group
“Citizens told us that the peddlers had no business cards or commercial vehicles, which made everything even more suspicious,” confirms Charlène Lanctôt, communications officer for the city of Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines.
She adds that she has received around twenty calls from her citizens since 2022 for this kind of illegal door-to-door.
“Sometimes they asked to go and check the attic since we were in a ‘red zone’ or to go and check the electricity meter in the yard. However, we do not authorize any company to do peddling,” says Ms. Lanctôt.
Police alerted
On the RAQ Group website, the company falsely claims to have several certifications and business partners to give itself credibility.
Screenshot taken from groupe-raq.com
The presumed partners that the RAQ Group displays on its website.
Screenshot taken from groupe-raq.com
The presumed partners that the RAQ Group displays on its website.
These presumed partners include the Régie du bâtiment du Québec, the Association of Construction and Housing Professionals of Quebec, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and the Ministry of the Environment, the fight against climate change, wildlife and parks.
However, all these organizations have confirmed to the Journal have no connection with the RAQ Group. They say they asked the company to remove their lies and their logo from their website.
“We will contact the police authorities for this purpose,” added for its part the Ministry of the Environment.
They disappear
Our representative has repeatedly contacted the RAQ Group by email and telephone. Our interview requests went unanswered at the time of publishing this article.
Screenshot taken from the Laval Neighborhood Watch & Community Advice Facebook group
A salesman from Groupe RAQ filmed illegally door-to-door in Laval.
Last Friday, the company’s website was finally deactivated. THE Journal however, had time to take several screenshots of their webpage before it disappeared.
Screenshot taken from the groupe-raq.com website
The groupe-raq.com website is now deactivated.
FRAUDULENT STRATEGIES USED BY PEDDLERS:
- A merchant offers to inspect or clean air ducts for free, with the hidden aim of selling a new appliance
- A merchant inspects the attic (attic) of a property and claims to have found mold requiring urgent decontamination work, when this is not the case
- A fake contest is organized on social networks to win a heat pump or save $5,000 on work
- Some merchants also dangle government subsidies or savings on the energy bill, which would ensure that the purchase made will cost next to nothing.
Source: Consumer Protection Office