Serial fraud in several hardware stores in the province

Dozens of hardware stores across Quebec have been paying the price for the past few weeks for what appears to be a major network of credit card fraud.

“In 72 hours, 15 cases were reported to us,” confirms the CEO of the Quebec Association of Hardware and Construction Materials (AQMAT), Richard Darveau. The stories are similar, but are happening everywhere at the same time. It all seems very strange to us. “

Fraudsters order over the phone, pretending to be construction contractors, victims of theft of their tools. As time is running out, they pay by credit card, explaining that employees will pick it up during the day.

It is only after the merchandise leaves that the retailer realizes that the transaction he thought he had already paid for is refused. And, of course, the names and company contact details used were in fact only inventions.

$ 3000 in tools

The subterfuge cost nearly $ 3,000 of tools at the Jean Denis ltée hardware store, of the Home Hardware brand, in Saint-Raymond-de-Portneuf.

“I’m angry,” says Sophie Denis, co-owner of the hardware store founded by her great-grandfather in 1928. We’ve always worked hard here. And with the pandemic, it got even worse. I did 82-hour weeks, you know … That criminals take advantage of people’s good faith in this way makes me mad. “

The same day, two other hardware stores in the area, in Saint-Raymond and Donnacona, fell into the same trap. And each time with the same result: thousands of dollars in tools gone.

Sergeant Louis-Philippe Bibeau, of the Sûreté du Québec, confirms the opening of an investigation into one or more events that occurred in the Portneuf region. They are similar, he says, to similar actions that have occurred since September in the Chaudière-Appalaches region.

But that’s not all ; several hardware stores in the regions of Sherbrooke in Estrie, Trois-Rivières in Mauricie, and Rivière-du-Loup in Bas-Saint-Laurent would also have been victims of the same scheme, supports the AQMAT. And this, without regard to the sign; RONA, BMR, Home Hardware would have all tasted it.

A silence to break

The problem is that not all victims necessarily file a complaint with the police, confirms Sergeant Bibeau. Which suggests that the fraud is more extensive than one might imagine.

“I understand the hesitations. We are ashamed to have been fooled, recognizes Sophie Denis, co-owner victim of Saint-Raymond. But I decided to speak out of civic duty. We won’t let the bad get the better of the good! “

The Sûreté invites hardware stores to be cautious and to report fraud to which they are victims.

One stratagem, five regions, at least fifteen victims

The ploy

1. A fraudster poses as a construction contractor from outside the region.

2. He orders a large number of tools over the phone using a credit card.

3. Accomplices go to the store to look for the merchandise that we believe paid (without the credit card of the “boss”).

4. Once the accomplices have left, the hardware store receives a notice of refusal of the transaction.

The SQ advises

1. Require the customer to have the credit card on hand, to ensure that the customer enters their PIN.

2. In case of doubt: identify the customer with an identity document.

3. Be wary when the customer does not have an account with the merchant.

4. Be more suspicious when renting or selling high-value equipment.

5. Note the license plates of vehicles and trailers during a major transaction.