The Case of the Phoney Mover Ad
Throughout a one-year period, a moving company advertised in local telephone books for Toronto and outlying areas. The Ministry of Consumer Services subsequently received complaints from consumers who contracted and paid for furniture to be moved.
The consumers stated that they met with, and paid, a man who took payments in cash or by cheque. The moves did not take place as promised and the business address given to consumers didn’t exist.
Investigators with the ministry charged the individuals involved with two counts each under the Business Names Act and one of the accused made restitution of more than $3,000 and was fined $2,000. The other was sentenced to 90 days' imprisonment, two years probation and a $1,000 fine, and was ordered to pay a further $3,000 restitution.
