Skip to Content

Technical Standards & Safety Authority Logo

Technical Standards
& Safety Authority
  • Report an incident
  • Change / Update my contact information
  • Contact the Ombudsman
  • Find a Registered Fuels Contractor
  • Find a Certificate of Authorization Holder
  • Find BPV Certificate of Inspection Information
  • Find Gas/Oil Technician certification info
  • Find Operating Engineers exam schedules and locations
  • Find private fuel outlets information
  • Sign up for paperless invoicing
  • Make Payments Online
Report an Incident
  • About TSSA
    • Accessibility
    • Advisory Councils
      • Consumers Advisory Council
      • Committee of Council Chairs
    • Appeals
    • Awards and Grants
      • Safety Awards
      • TSSA Graduate Student Research and Innovation Grant
    • Careers
      • Career Opportunities
    • Compliance Standards - What, Why, Benefits
    • Contact Us
    • Corporate Policies
    • Corporate Structure
      • Executive Leadership Team
      • Statutory Directors
    • Governance
      • Board of Directors
      • Standing Committees
      • Memorandum of Understanding
    • Legislation and Regulations
    • Newsroom
      • TSSA Press Releases
        • TSSA Response to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
      • Safety Dispatch Newsletter
      • Safety Exchange Blog
      • Amusement News
      • Boiler & Pressure Vessels News
      • Elevating News
      • Fuels News
      • Operating Engineers News
      • Ski Lift News
    • Ombudsman
      • Whistle Blowing Service
    • Release of Public Information
    • Report an Incident
    • Reports and Policies
      • Memorandum of Understanding
      • Corporate Policies
    • Risk Management
      • Comprehensive Safety System
    • Safety and Risk Officer
      • Public Reports
    • Safetyinfo
  • Fee Changes
  • Amusement Devices
    • Advisory Council
    • Appeals
    • Applications, Forms and Fees
      • Pay for a License or Permit
      • Renew a License
      • Lapsed Authorization Policy
    • Compliance Support Program
    • Engineering Services
    • Guidelines
    • Inspections
    • Legislation and Regulatory Information
    • News - Amusement Devices
    • Public Consultations
    • Release of Public Information
    • Report an Incident
    • Training and Certification
      • Amusement Device Mechanic Certification
      • Labour Mobility
      • Register for an Exam
      • Find an Accredited Training Provider
  • Boilers & Pressure Vessels
    • Advisory Council
    • Agricultural Use - Boilers and Pressure Equipment
      • Equipment Reporting Form
      • Agricultural Use - BPV - FAQs
      • Educational Resources
    • Appeals
    • Applications, Forms and Fees
      • Pay for a License or Permit
      • Renew a License
      • Lapsed Authorization Policy
    • Compliance Support Program
    • Engineering Services
      • Register a Design
      • National Service
      • Consulting
    • Inspections
      • BPV Certificate of Inspection
    • Legislation and Regulatory Information
    • News - Boilers & Pressure Vessels
    • Public Consultations
    • Quality Program
      • Find a Certificate of Authorization Holder
    • Release of Public Information
    • Report an Incident
    • Training and Certification
      • Ontario Training Programs
      • Seminars
      • Register for an Exam
      • Find an Accredited Training Provider
  • Elevating Devices
    • Advisory Council
    • Elevator Availability
    • Appeals
    • Applications Forms and Fees
      • Pay for a License or Permit
      • Renew a License
      • Lapsed Authorization Policy
    • Engineering Services
    • Compliance Standard - Electric Traction Elevators
    • Compliance Standard - Hydraulic Elevators
    • Compliance Standard - Escalator Contractors
    • Compliance Standard - Escalator Owners-Operators
    • Compliance Support Program
    • Guidelines
    • Inspections
      • Defective Elevating Devices
      • Find an Inspector
      • Frequency of Inspections
      • Inspection Guidelines
      • Schedule an Inspection
      • Types of Inspections
    • Legislation and Regulatory Information
    • News - Elevating Devices
    • Open Data - Elevating Devices
    • Public Consultations
    • Release of Public Information
    • Report an Incident
    • Training and Certification
      • Elevating Mechanic Certification
      • Labour Mobility
      • Register for an Exam
      • Find an Accredited Training Provider
  • Fuels
    • Advisory Council
    • Appeals
    • Applications, Forms and Fees
      • Pay for a License or Permit
      • Renew a License
      • Lapsed Authorization Policy
    • Approved Certification Marks
    • Compliance Support Program
    • Engineering Services
      • Digester Landfill and Biogas Program
      • Field Approval Program
      • Food Trucks
      • Fuels for Heating
      • Fuels for Transportation
      • High Pressure Piping
    • Environmental Services
    • Find a Registered Contractor
    • Fraudulent Fuels Workers
      • Certified Technicians
      • Verifying Fuels Contractors and Inspectors
    • Guidelines and FAQs
      • Fuel Oil Distributors
      • Propane Risk & Safety Management Plans
      • Storage Tanks
      • Excavation FAQs
    • Inspections
      • Compliance Audits
      • Find an Inspector
    • Legislation and Regulatory Information
    • News - Fuels
    • Oil and Gas Pipelines Oversight Program
      • Compliance Standards - Pipeline Operators
    • Patio Heater Safety
    • Private Fuel Outlets
    • Public Consultations
    • Release of Public Information
    • Report an Incident
    • Risk & Safety Management Plans (RSMPs)
    • Training and Certification
      • Fuels Industry Certification
      • Fuels Safety Industry Workshops
      • Labour Mobility
      • Register for an Exam
      • Find an Accredited Training Provider
    • Events and Resources
  • Operating Engineers
    • Advisory Council
    • Alternate Rules - Operating Engineers
      • Alternate Rules Frequently Asked
    • Appeals
    • Applications, Forms and Fees
      • Pay for a License or Permit
      • Renew a Certificate or Plant Registration
      • Lapsed Authorization Policy
    • Compliance Support Program
    • Guidelines
    • Inspections
    • Legislation and Regulatory Information
    • News - Operating Engineers
    • Open Data - Operating Engineers
    • Public Consultations
    • Release of Public Information
    • Report an Incident
    • Training and Certification
      • Labour Mobility
      • Register for an Exam
      • Find an Accredited Training Provider
  • Ski Lifts
    • Advisory Council
    • Appeals
    • Applications, Forms and Fees
      • Pay for a License or Permit
      • Renew a License
      • Lapsed Authorization Policy
    • Compliance Standards - Ropeways, Conveyors
      • Compliance Standard - Above-Surface Passenger Ropeway
      • Compliance Standard - Conveyors
      • Compliance Standard - Fibre or Rope Tow
      • Compliance Standard - Surface Passenger Ropeway
    • Compliance Support Program
    • Engineering Services
    • Guidelines for Ski Lifts
    • Inspections
    • Legislation and Regulatory Information
    • News - Ski Lifts
    • Public Consultations
    • Release of Public Information
    • Report an Incident
    • Training and Certification
      • Labour Mobility
      • Register for an Exam
      • Ski Lift Mechanic Certification
      • Find an Accredited Training Provider
CareersContact UsNewsroom

TSSA Head Office

HomeAbout TSSANewsroom
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
  • Accessibility
  • Advisory Councils
  • Appeals
  • Awards and Grants
  • Careers
  • Compliance Standards - What, Why, Benefits
  • Contact Us
  • Corporate Policies
  • Corporate Structure
  • Governance
  • Legislation and Regulations
  • Newsroom
    • TSSA Press Releases
    • Safety Dispatch Newsletter
    • Safety Exchange Blog
    • Amusement News
    • Boiler & Pressure Vessels News
    • Elevating News
    • Fuels News
    • Operating Engineers News
    • Ski Lift News
  • Ombudsman
  • Release of Public Information
  • Report an Incident
  • Reports and Policies
  • Risk Management
  • Safety and Risk Officer
  • Safetyinfo

TSSA’s Fraud Prevention Month Warning: Verify the Legitimacy of All Fuels Professionals

Posted On Tuesday March 01, 2022
Tweet
Open new window to subscribe via RSS
Subscribe

Toronto, ON, March 1, 2022 – As part of its commitment to protecting Ontarians from the dangers posed by fraudulent fuels workers, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is launching its third annual 'Trunk Slammers' Awareness and Enforcement Program. In alignment with the 2022 Fraud Prevention Month national campaign theme, Impersonation Scams, this year’s 'Trunk Slammers' Awareness and Enforcement Program campaign aims to ensure Ontario homeowners understand the importance and methods of verifying the credentials of fuels service professionals and reporting illegal workers and scammers to TSSA.

Trunk Slammers & Unsafe Technical Work

Uncertified gas technicians and unregistered contractors, aka ‘trunk slammers’, are known for performing less expensive labour with cheaper, unsafe materials and operating out of the trunks of their vehicles, which makes them difficult for consumers to locate and hold accountable.

“Fuels-related risks in retirement and long-term care homes, private dwellings, and business units are among the top areas of risk that we see,” said Sam Sadeghi, Statutory Director, TSSA Fuels Safety Program, and as noted in TSSA’s 2021 Public Safety Report. “Inadequate installation of fuel-burning appliances and poor maintenance work have been identified as major contributing factors to the risks in these areas, so it’s vital that Ontarians only hire those authorized by TSSA to perform fuel-related work.”

TSSA Impersonators & Unscrupulous Salespeople

In light of recent incidents involving scammers impersonating TSSA representatives, TSSA also urges Ontarians to be on alert for door-to-door and telemarketing salespeople selling furnaces, water heaters and energy services. In several cases, individuals who look and sound legitimate are not.

During the occurrence most recently reported to TSSA, a resident received an automated robo call identifying the company as TSSA saying the company wanted to arrange a furnace inspection. Upon further inquiry, the company altered its offer to say the company would come and see if the resident qualified for an energy rebate. A few weeks prior, a man went door to door posing as a TSSA Fuels Safety inspector and attempted to sell furnaces to owners of newly purchased homes.

“TSSA representatives do not work on appliances and will not attempt to sell products or inspection services to Ontario residents,” said Sadeghi. “Furthermore, if someone calls or arrives at a resident’s home and says the resident requires a furnace inspection, it is just a sales call, and residents are not obligated to comply.”

There are limited circumstances in which TSSA would visit a resident’s home. In any of these situations, TSSA representatives will present a business card and have a badge to identify themselves. If ever in doubt, residents should confirm an individual’s identity by calling TSSA.

Know Who’s Who Before Engaging

“We do recommend that homeowners have their furnaces and fuel-burning devices checked and serviced annually by a TSSA-registered contractor to protect against CO and fire hazards, but homeowners should seek out and verify their own contractors and not let anyone in that comes to their doors unless an appointment has been arranged in advance,” said Sadeghi.

Under Ontario law, furnaces and fuel-fired appliances must be maintained by TSSA-registered contractors, all of whom are listed on the TSSA website. Registered contractors are required to hire certified gas technicians who have extensive training aimed at keeping people safe in their homes.

Ontarians who believe they have been targeted by a TSSA impersonator should report the incident to 1-877-682-TSSA immediately. TSSA also urges the public to report unregistered fuels contractors and uncertified technicians, who put Ontario residents at risk through shoddy technical workmanship on fuel-burning appliances.

“We only become aware of these situations when people report them to us or the police,” said Sadeghi. “We want residents to know there are no negative consequences of reporting these incidents, and we encourage people to do so.”

Guidance & Resources

For additional information and access to safety resources, visit the following webpages:

  • TSSA Fraudulent Fuels Workers Campaign Page
  • TSSA Certified Technician Explainer
  • TSSA Verifying Fuels Contractors & Inspectors Information Page
  • TSSA/HRAI Qualified Contractor Checklist
  • TSSA/HRAI Fuels Professional Verification Checklist
  • TSSA Registered Ontario Contractors Listing
  • HRAI Canadian Qualified Contractors Member Listing
  • TSSA Advisory: Confirming a TSSA Representative’s Identity Before Allowing Home Entry
  • Consumer Protection Ontario Information on Consumer Rights & Avoiding & Reporting Scams
  • HRAI Consumer Awareness Information on Door-to-Door HVAC Equipment Sales
  • Natural Resources Canada Tips on How to Recognize Energy Scams

About TSSA

Throughout Ontario, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) enforces provincial safety regulations and enhances public safety. TSSA regulates the safety of amusement devices, boilers and pressure vessels, elevating devices, fuels, operating engineers, and ski lifts. Its range of safety services include public education, certification, licensing and registration, engineering design review, inspections, investigations, safety management consultation, compliance support, enforcement, and prosecution activities.

-30- 

For more information, please contact:

Alexandra Campbell
Vice President, Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
Telephone: 416-734-6227
Email: media@tssa.org

For more information on the Technical Standards and Safety Authority, please visit www.tssa.org.

Back to Search

Contact(s)

  • A to Z Listing:
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M
  • N
  • O
  • P
  • Q
  • R
  • S
  • T
  • U
  • V
  • W
  • X
  • Y
  • Z

Technical Standards & Safety Authority Logo

© 2021 Technical Standards and Safety Authority, 345 Carlingview Drive, Toronto, ON, M9W 6N9
Phone: 1-877-682-8772 Email: customerservices@tssa.org

  • Report an Incident
  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe to TSSA News
  • Careers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Feedback
  • Accessibility
Design by eSolutionsGroup

Browser Compatibility Notification

It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.