Homeowners accuse small-time contractor of snow job

Several Edmonton homeowners say they each paid acontractor hundreds of dollars to clear their snow this winter, but once the first flakes began to fall he was nowhere to be found.

Mike Southwick, operating as MA Contracting, signed contracts promising to show up within 12 hours of every snowfall and remove all the snow from the driveway and sidewalks.

Instead, he leftthem many of whom areelderlyout of pocket and scrambling for help.

Seven people told Go Public they each paid Southwick, who also goes by the name Mark Wilson, between $500 and $1,000 to keep their sidewalks and driveways clear until the end of March.

They say he never came or returned any calls once the first snow fell in early November, and within days his phone was out of service.

Edmonton police are investigating, but several of the people who signed contracts expressed frustration that fact apparently hasnt stopped Southwick.

When contacted by Go Public, Southwick said he would fix it, including provide refunds. However, no customers have reported receiving any service or refunds yet.

Customer bought snow-clearing as Christmas presents

Tricia Douglas paid Southwick $1,500 to have him clear three properties her own and two thatwere meant to be Christmas presents.

She has since hired another contractor to do the work.

I am now paying twice for the privilege of having my snow removed, she said.

Douglas said Southwick seemed like a capable and trustworthy person who was working hard to provide for his young family.

He talked about his family, his concern for doing a good job. No problem, theyd be out here and do it all and make sure I was happy, Douglas said, shaking her head.

Douglas said shes convinced Southwick was scamming her.

The fact he didnt call says it was intentional.It wasn't that something happened, (or) he was in an accident," she said.

Douglas said she is especially troubled that Southwick used his family to make a good impression.

If this is what you do, what will your children do? I dont believe that my children or their childrens children would want to be afraid that every time you talk to someone theyre going to take advantage of you.

Its so sad the world has come to this, she said.

'Its not a good feeling to be swindled'

Victor Fong said Southwick is scamming people.

Fong says he paid Southwick $500 to keep the sidewalk clear in front of his elderly mothers house. He now drives 40 minutes across town to do it himself.

I was angry, but I feel bad, because on the day he came to sign the contract he had his kid with him, Fong said.

I feel pity because hes not a guy who cant do physical work. Hes perfectly capable of supporting his family.

Asma Burney, 65, answered an ad on Kijiji and paid Mark Wilson $500 for snow clearing, then went to India for five weeks.

She returned on November 29to find her driveway and sidewalks blocked by almost knee-deep snow.

I was shocked, actually. I thought I had everything in place and that everything would be fine when I get home, Burney said.

Im extremely mad. Im upset. Its not a good feeling to be swindled.

Done nothing wrong, contractor claims

When reached by phone, Southwick declined to be interviewed.

He did, however, communicate with CBC in a lengthy exchange of text messages, in which he denied he was a scammer but gave several confusing explanations for what happened.

He claimed he was unable to work because of illness then texted, I am busy doing snow. Done nothing wrong.

Southwick said he contacted all his clients but never heard back from anyone. All those who spoke with Go Public say the last they heard from Southwick was when he accepted payment and promised to clear their snow.

Southwick texted said he will make arangments (sic) to have snow done asap...as promised just orginizing (sic) people.

Southwick texted: It means I will make arangements (sic) and F*** off. And. Dont have to tell you s**t lol

Southwick later took a more conciliatory tone:

Sorry that it came to this, they can call me to fix this any time.

We gave his phone number to the customers who complained. Only Terry Sroka, who had paid Southwick $600, was able to reach him.

Its just a joke and the cops are doing nothing, Sroka said.

Edmonton Police spokeswoman Patrycia Thenu said complaints about Southwick have come in from all over the city.

She said commercial fraud investigations can take longer because of the personal financial information, which can require a judges order to obtain.

In an email, Const. Patrick Harrigan said hes aware of 12 complaints and asked anyone who has dealt with Southwick or M A Contracting to call police.

Contractor pleaded guilty to unrelated fraud

On November 26,Southwickpleaded guilty in Stony Plain to unrelated theft and fraud charges and was given an 18-month conditional sentence, including sixmonths'house arrest.

A condition of the sentence is Southwick must report to his probation officer the exact address of any snow removal work he does and go directly to and from that address

Calli Strommer of Service Alberta said its important to check references and get a written contract, where every detail is laid out,ahead of timeincluding how soon people will come after a snowfalland whether there are extra charges for salt or sand.

Strommer said some contractors add a clause charging extra if the snowfall is significant.

A lot of folks go into these contracts not really having done their homework, she said.

She advises people to avoid contractors who advertise mostly on Kijiji, as Southwick did.

Strommer said many of the contracts signed with Southwick may be worthy of a Service Alberta investigation under the Fair Trading Act, and encouraged people to file complaints.

Fong said hes worried Southwick is still working and he hopes Service Alberta and police will stop him.

I really hope this guy is caught before other people fall victim to his scam, he said.

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