Blow And Go - Duct Cleaning Scam
This particular scammer hits up local community pages with offers of duct cleaning services. (Originally posted July 2021)
Scammers continue to be hard at work, and it seems that nobody is immune to their reach. With inflation steadily increasing, every dollar of yours gets a bit tighter. Therefore, keep aware of these deals that are too good to be true.
These scammers hit community pages in the hopes that the locals are too trusting to think someone in their own community would steal from them.
Let’s take a look at Sofia and her very first post in the community page.
No company name in the post. Legitimate businesses want their name out in the public to showcase their services. If you ask for a name, chances are you’ll get the runaround or a fake name that can’t be tracked down.
The Facebook account is very new. In Sofia’s case, she is a brand new member to EP Community Page, joining today. Within minutes, she’s posting this advertisement. Her Facebook account was created in January of this year and is full of beautiful family photos, which have been stolen from a legitimate profile. Every comment is nearly the same underneath her photos, “great picture”, and only about 2 comments per picture.
Horrible spelling/grammar. Granted, many in these groups have a poor command of the English language, but posts by scammers usually stand out. What is a “powerful monster truck vacuum system”?
Reputable companies usually do not provide an estimate, much less offer services for a full house, without inspection.
Here’s an interview from the BBB about air duct cleaning scams.
Consumer Protection
The National Air Duct Cleaners Association has the following advice:
Companies who offer these dirt-cheap (pun intended) advertisements aren’t offering the full-service cleaning up to the ACR Standard (American Carbon Registry).Verify that the company is a NADCA member along with proof of license and insurance.
Request that a system inspection be performed prior to hiring a contractor.
Avoid any advertisements and discounts for “whole house specials” under $100. A full-service duct cleaning for a standard sized home ranges from $450-$1000.Here’s an interview from the BBB about air duct cleaning scams.