BOTH my parents, who are in their mid-70s, have lived in Toa
Payoh for more than 30 years.
Last Thursday, I visited them to take them out for breakfast. It
was a good thing I did because when I arrived at their door, there
were two men and a woman talking to my dad.
They said they were offering to change the front door to a
fireproof one and this was authorised and approved by HDB. I asked
them if this was free, and they said it was. They did not seem very
comfortable to see me though.
My dad smelt a rat and decided not to agree. Anyway, the door
was still in good condition. They made him sign a form to refuse
the offer, before making a hasty retreat.
Later, when my dad called the HDB office, he was told that this
offer was not HDB-approved. Moreover, residents had to pay for a
fireproof door.
This appears to be a scam to con elderly folk into changing
their doors. Older residents like my parents should feel safe in
their homes and should not be subjected to such unethical sales
tactics.
Lawrence Seow