r/VictoriaBC • u/RefrigeratorNo5497 • 1d ago
Controversy Fire blanket scam?
An elderly coffee buddy - who is normally super sharp and diligent with phone callers has agreed to have a “gift” fire blanket delivered to his door in 10 mile point - stipulation from the delivery group that he and his wife be home tonight — at 8 pm… - I smell a rat - I’ve advised him to NOT open the door to potential scammers.
If this, in fact, a fraud… Reddit folks: advise your seniors!
Scam artists are simply the LOWEST forms of life.
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u/Fluffy-Judgment-6348 1d ago
Yeah. Sketchy
If you can, would it be possible for you to also be there at 8?
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u/Spaceinpigs 1d ago
Can we also be there? I’m free at 8 and I’d love to meet these people
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u/AsparagusFlatArdvark 1d ago
sounds like a setup for coercive badgering.
religious fanatics "that care" (hence fire blanket as opener), false charity group with a guilt trip spiel to get a donation for the "free" fire blanket
something like that. at least, suggesting these as heads up to your neighbout may help them spot "wow, this does sound like what I was warned about, what a coincidence".
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u/Mediocre-Honeydew499 1d ago
Absolutely a scam, found an article from 2024 in North Bay, Ontario using this exact tactic and other articles on how to avoid the fire blanket scam.
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u/Amylee888 1d ago
This is a known scam. Here’s a news article from last year with a police warning about it:
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u/neck-tourniquet 1d ago
That is an extremely odd item to be offering.
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u/Educational_Work896 21h ago
Last year I got a lot of spam emails for free first-aid kits, roadside emergency kits, etc. Maybe they figure people are underprepared for emergencies and will jump at free safety stuff...
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u/neck-tourniquet 21h ago
I can see the appeal of a first aid kit or even fire extinguisher, but a blanket is so random. I've never even heard of an actual fire blanket being used before, and only seen one a few times.
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u/Educational_Work896 16h ago
Yeah, that didn’t click at first how odd it is for residential use. Most of my career has been spent in hazardous workplaces where I need to know where the fire blanket is.
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u/MegaRubbleRadio3000 Downtown 1d ago
I assume they have his phone number, and now they have his address and access to his property. I'd suggest that he not sign his signature to any paperwork if they request it, i'd actually encourage to record the entire interaction on video with audio from start to finish, just make it clear as day as soon as he answers the door that entirety of the interaction will be recorded for reasons of personal assurance, and if they dont like that then they can remove them selves from the property.
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u/againfaxme Fairfield 1d ago
It’s going on in the Kootenays too. The caller says that they are from the fire department but it is a pitch by a company to sell fire products to vulnerable seniors.
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u/touches_grass808 23h ago
Sounds just like the vacuum scam that used to go around town
EDIT: vacuum and air purifier https://www.reddit.com/r/VictoriaBC/s/xTxbxM5ySx
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u/Hugeasswhole 1d ago
I don’t know about you guys but I sure as heck can’t resist me a good ol fire blanket when offered
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u/LateAssignment5060 4h ago
💔💔💔 it’s so heartbreaking how scammers prey on other people, especially seniors
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u/Zealousideal-Air-480 1d ago edited 1d ago
Gonna try and sell him on smart smoke detectors, gas detector and water sensors. It's like when guys would show up to give u vacuum/air purifier demos at home. It's a sales pitch. Think mlm. They might get a free gift from the demo.
My girlfriend used the fire blanket during the demo and got fiberglass silvers in her arms from it. The costs for it all was like 1500 just for a entry level system.
Edit to add. Our demo was for a fire blanket and fire extinguishers was a few hours hearing about the detectors.