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BBB and Dateline NBC Expose Air Duct Cleaning Scams

Posted Friday, January 07, 2011 in Home Improvement
by Erik Johnson

This Sunday, January 9th at 7pm, NBC Dateline will debut a new series called "The Hansen Files" featuring investigative reporter Chris Hansen. The first episode was done with the help of the Better Business Bureau to expose a nationwide scheme involving less than trustworthy air duct cleaning companies. Mr. Hansen and his team will go undercover with hidden cameras to show what consumers have been complaining to BBBs across the country about for years.

You can expect to see some clever advertising tricks and bait and switch tactics that result in consumers paying much higher prices than they were expecting. Thousands of dollars have been lost due to these air duct cleaning scams, so tune in to be informed on how you can protect yourself. There are good air duct cleaning service companies, BBB wants you to know how to spot the ones that are not.

Comments

Jan, the Better Business Bureau in Houston has a directory of BBB Accredited Businesses at the following link. Just search for air duct cleaning companies and you should find several. http://www.bbb.org/houston/directory/greater-houston-accredited-business-directory/1/
Comment By Erik Johnson At 2/11/2011 10:25 AM
Can you tell me how to find a reputable air duct cleaning company in the Houston, TX area?
Comment By Jan Bedford At 2/8/2011 9:38 AM
Last year my wife had a stem cell transplant as she has amyloidosis. We wanted to ensure the ducts were clean as it's common to develop allergies and the like after a stem cell transplant. The company (shall remain nameless here) sent a team out and they pulled down the grill from the return vent for the HVAC system. When we installed the HVAC system we'd painted the return area black so that when you look up to the ceiling all you see behind the grill is black (rather than rough construction, 2x4's, drywall, etc.). The scamster sees the black and proclaims, "you have black mold!". I told him that was absurd so he said he'd go get his test equipment. I'd had prior experience creating a semi-clean room used in the creation + production of electronic sensors and recalled that our "clean-room" wasn't even clean enough to avoid detection of microscopic spores. And, sure enough, when the scamster came back in with his "test" equipment, it rang up and he wanted $500 or more to "fix" the problem. I told them that we'd report them to the state AG and file criminal complaints with local PD because the scamster took my coupon with him (I considered fraud + theft) The company took my threats seriously and had a different team return and - while not admitting anything - performed all the work for NO CHARGE. -- Steve
Comment By Steven W. At 1/30/2011 10:07 PM

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