On March 10, 2026, CTV News reported that a Scarborough, Ontario woman lost $85,000 after trusting an unlicensed individual who claimed to be a licensed mortgage broker. The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) has since issued a public warning — urging all Canadians to verify that any mortgage professional they hire is properly licensed before handing over a single dollar.
What Happened
According to CTV News, Randee Solomon of Scarborough deposited $85,000 with a woman named Dianne Van Rossum, believing her to be a licensed mortgage broker. The funds were meant to help Solomon refinance her home and avoid foreclosure. The bank draft was cashed — and the money never reached its destination. Van Rossum, FSRA confirmed, was never licensed to conduct mortgage brokering in Ontario.
FSRA’s Warning to All Canadians
FSRA Director of Mortgage Broker Conduct Gina Stephens stated that consumers should ask their broker questions and verify their license before proceeding. Consumers can check a broker’s license status directly on the FSRA website by searching their name, license number, or brokerage name. FSRA also recommends checking the enforcement database to confirm no regulatory actions have been taken against the individual.
How to Verify Any Mortgage Broker in Canada — Free
Before you give any mortgage professional access to your money, ask three questions: Is your license active in this province? What is your license number? Can I verify you on the regulator’s website right now? A legitimate, licensed broker will answer all three immediately and without hesitation.
Use VerifiedAdvisors.ca — Canada’s Free Broker Verification Directory
VerifiedAdvisors.ca is Canada’s first national directory of independently license-verified mortgage brokers. Every broker listed has been cross-referenced against RECA (Alberta), BCFSA (BC), and FSRA (Ontario) before appearing in the directory. It is completely free to search — no account, no login, no signup required. Type any broker’s name or city and see instantly whether they are verified and licensed. If you are a licensed mortgage broker, your verified profile is already waiting for you to claim at no cost.
The Bottom Line
Losing $85,000 to an unlicensed individual is devastating — and it is preventable. FSRA is telling consumers to verify. VerifiedAdvisors.ca makes that verification instant and free for every Canadian. Search your broker before you sign anything.