It’s no secret that it’s been a tough few years, with a pandemic that affected each of us in ways we never dreamed of. If you’re like most people, there are many health concerns and restrictions you’re hoping to put behind you finally.
There’s a lot of talk about indoor air quality these days as airborne pathogens infect our families, and more and more households are exploring options for HVAC system cleaning. Air duct cleaning isn’t just a great way to help you and your family breathe clean, healthy air — it can also improve your home’s energy efficiency and save you money!
Like there’s not enough to worry about, the COVID-19 pandemic fueled the fire regarding home improvement scams. Duct cleaning scams are nothing new (we’ve all seen those flyers that appear in the mailbox for air duct cleaning deals that seem too good, like $89 whole-house specials.
Hint: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is!).
Posts targeting homeowners on social media neighborhood groups are on the rise.
In fact, we see multiple posts for super-cheap air duct cleaning on various social media sites daily, with Facebook users and Nextdoor as the biggest offenders.
The content of these posts is almost identical and often touts things like a ‘special discount’ for the first few people who comment or one price for unlimited vents and ducts. If you look closely, you’ll notice that unrelated posts often use the same assortment of images and videos.
The company name is rarely included in the post, and those who show interest are sent private messages through the app. Also, they’re often posted from accounts regularly and are made to look like genuine residents of the communities the groups are made for.
The scams have become increasingly sophisticated over time, and the posts can truly appear legit.
Once homeowners show interest, the most sophisticated scammers will direct message consumers and eventually gather personal information just before asking for a hefty deposit. Your money then disappears, and your ducts never get cleaned. Or if they are cleaned, it’s sub-par work.
To learn more, visit NADCA.com
