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air conditioner cleaning scam alert

Don’t be a victim of air conditioner cleaning scams on Facebook

May 23, 2024

Don’t be a victim of air conditioner cleaning scams on Facebook

With the convenience of social media, it’s easier than ever to find services you need online. Unfortunately, however, not all offers are legitimate.
From fake sales to phishing attempts, scammers are constantly finding new ways to trick us. One scam that’s been making the rounds recently involves air conditioner cleaning services.

Let’s dive into how these scams work and more importantly, how you can protect yourself from them!

What are air conditioner cleaning scams?

“Believe me, this isn’t a scam!”, “What are you breathing???”, “I guarantee all my work!”

Have you ever seen an ad or a Facebook post offering AC cleaning services with these sorts of sensationalise, eye-catching phrases?

Well, these are just some of the common phrases scammers use in their post to get your attention.

These scams are fraudulent schemes where scammers pretend to offer cleaning your dirty split or ducted system for a cheap or discounted price.

While a cheap and convenient service might sound appealing, these offers are often too good to be true.

Scammers usually post ads on Facebook to lure people in. Once they get your attention, they might ask for an upfront payment.

They could even come to your home and charge you more than agreed upon, manipulating you into paying on the spot.

How does this scam work?

  1. Scammers post enticing ads on Facebook offering air conditioner cleaning services at unbelievably low prices. These ads may include eye-catching images and dramatic language to capture your attention
  2. Scammers may contact you if you show interest in a service by clicking on an ad, commenting, or sending them a direct message
  3. They may respond quickly, appearing eager to secure the job
  4. To secure the supposed “service”, scammers often request an upfront payment or deposit from the user. They may claim that the payment is necessary to schedule an appointment or reserve a spot because of high demand
  5. After receiving payment, the scammers may either provide a subpar cleaning service or don’t show up at all. In some cases, they may fabricate additional issues with the air conditioner to demand more money from you
  6. Victims end up with either no service or a poorly done job, despite having paid for the advertised service

How to spot AC cleaning scams on Facebook

Sketchy profile

There are three main things to look for that may raise the probability of a scam.

FIrst, check when a user joined a specific group that they are posting in. Scammers often join and start spamming immediately. They will likely have no other post history in the group.

Next, check the user’s profile itself. Was it, too, recently created? This is often a tell-tale sign of a fake profile.

Thirdly, look for any posting history. Does the profile have minimal posts or images? Does it have a real person as an image, or an abstract photo?

Prices that seem way too good to be true

If the price is unbelievably low, it might be a scam. Professional services have reasonable rates. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

Pressure tactics

If they pressure you to pay immediately or to book quickly because of a “limited offer”, be cautious.

No contact information

If you express interest on a group post, a scammer may ask you to send them a private message. They often won’t provide contact details such as their phone number, company name, or website in their posts and profile.

If you can’t find any contact details, consider it a red flag.

Poor reviews

Check online reviews. If you see a lot of negative feedback or no feedback at all, then think twice.

How to protect yourself from scammers

  • Before contacting a service, do some research. Look up the company online and read reviews
  • Ask questions. Legitimate companies will be happy to answer your questions. Ask about their cleaning process, costs, and any hidden fees
  • Do not pay in full before the service is completed. A small deposit might be acceptable, but be wary of paying the entire amount upfront
  • Verify credentials to ensure the company holds a valid licence and insurance. You can usually find this information on their website or by asking them directly

To confirm if the air conditioning technician’s licence is current, you can check here.

What to do if you’ve been scammed

Realising you’ve been scammed can be a stressful and frustrating experience. Act quickly to minimise any potential damage and to try to recover your losses.

Here are some steps you can take if you find yourself in this unfortunate situation:

  • If you paid with a credit card, contact your bank to stop the payment or dispute the charge
  • Report the scam to Facebook and your local consumer protection agency
  • Share your experience with friends and family to help them avoid the same scam

Contact a licensed air conditioning company

For reliable and trustworthy air conditioning services, contact Hays Air Conditioning by requesting a quote or giving us a call at 0404 614 814.

Whether you need routine maintenance or a thorough aircon cleaning, our licensed and insured air conditioning expert has got you covered!