Police in Gatineau have issued a warning about reports of suspicious individuals posing as telecom representatives in local neighbourhoods.
Gatineau Police said on Wednesday on X, “We have received complaints indicating that fake representatives from a telecommunications company are going around the streets of Gatineau.” Authorities urged residents who may have witnessed suspicious activity, or who have encountered these individuals, to contact them at 819-246-0222.
So who was in the area? An iPhone in Canada reader, @fanCRTCProfling, shared their personal experience, describing two individuals who claimed to be from Bell. “One had a badge hanging off his coat that was unreadable. The other had no badge, drove a white unmarked van, and wore a jacket with a Bell logo. He also carried a backpack,” the reader explained. “The jacket seemed new, and I hadn’t seen it before.”
The reader also provided screenshots from a local Facebook group, where other residents expressed concerns about similar encounters.
One user, Vicky L., posted: “Did you have a visit from a guy claiming to work for Bell but showing up with just a backpack, his car apparently left on a nearby street, with no company signs anywhere?!? Sketchy visit…”
Another resident, Lucie B., shared, “Two men came to my house about 45 minutes ago in Angers. They claimed to work for Bell but didn’t insist when my dogs were behind me.”
Michel B. added that he captured video footage of two individuals at his property on March 11. “We weren’t there, so the reason for their visit is unknown,” he said.
Marie, another local, noted that a Bell representative visited her neighborhood multiple times. “Last week, there was someone from Bell, but I found it suspicious. He came back three days in a row to the same block.”
After reaching out to Bell, a spokesperson told iPhone in Canada on Thursday, “Bell can confirm that our neighbourhood marketing agents have been active in this area. These contractors can be identified by Bell authorized agent shirts, jackets, and ID. We are not aware of any complaints regarding the conduct of these agents. To the extent we receive complaints regarding agent conduct, we take such matters seriously and investigate.”
In July 2023, the Quebec Superior Court approved a class action lawsuit against Bell, alleging its door-to-door sales tactics violated the Consumer Protection Act. The case involves a representative finalizing a contract over the phone without providing a physical copy. Bell’s appeal was denied in September 2023, allowing the lawsuit to move forward.
In the past, Bell’s door-to-door sales tactics have come under fire, such as the previous investigation by CBC Marketplace:
Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to local authorities.
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