Chimney Scammers on the Rise

Unfortunately, scammers aren’t just in your inboxes, sending you messages like, “Your new iPhone is on the way! Call us if you didn’t place this order.” No, they’re in your neighborhood, too. Sadly, there are many unscrupulous people out there whose only goal is to rip you off. And while the chimney and fireplace industry may be small, there are plenty of “companies” trying to get your money without delivering what they say they’ll deliver. Here are the most common chimney scams to watch for this year so you can keep your home and wallet safe.

The Too-Good-to-Be-True “Free Inspection Scam

You’ve heard the saying, “There’s no free lunch,” and it’s true. When someone offers you something for free, there are always strings attached. One common tactic used by chimney scammers is offering a free or extremely low-priced chimney inspection to get their foot in the door. Once inside, they find numerous problems that need to be fixed immediately. These problems may exist, but not nearly as bad as they claim, or entirely fabricated. Typically, they recommend repairs on the spot. They’ll tell you how unsafe the situation is and that your family may be in imminent danger if you even go near the fireplace.

This tactic plays on homeowners’ lack of technical knowledge and their fear of hazards such as house fires or carbon monoxide poisoning. The way these scams go down is typically like this:

• A technician shows up at the house or calls with a “special offer”.
• During their inspection, they say they’ve found serious safety issues.
• They pressure you to agree to repair the problems right away.

Bait-and-Switch Pricing for Cleaning

Another thing you’ve heard is that, if it’s too good to be true, it probably is. Chimney cleaning isn’t costly, but it’s not cheap either. Reputable companies with certified pros have training, know what they’re doing, and charge appropriately for their expertise and willingness to stand behind their work.

Scammers show up and offer rock-bottom prices. While a typical chimney cleaning can run up to $400, a scammer might offer you a cleaning for $49. Like the free inspection scam, once they get into your chimney, they “find” problems, like cracked liners or excessive creosote buildup. And, like the free inspection scam, these problems need to be repaired yesterday.

This tactic works well because homeowners have already committed to hiring the company to do a job and feel pressured to keep paying, even though they may not know whether a real problem exists.

Watch out for offers that are too good to be true and technicians who find issues so severe that they need to be fixed immediately.

Cold Calling and Out-of-State Fake Company Scams

Many fraudulent operators masquerade as local firms but are actually out-of-state crews that move from town to town, taking quick cash before disappearing before issues arise. They use generic names like AAA Chimney Services or lists that look local but aren’t.

To protect yourself, always verify the company’s physical address and business history. Ask them for references you can personally check. Don’t trust reviews you see online, because they can be fake too.

The We Didn’t Do the Work Scam

Remember, scammers only want money, and they really don’t want to have to work for it. Another popular scam is when the company you hired to do a job says it’s completed and takes your money, and you only find out later that they did almost nothing, or literally nothing. This is a common scam: companies ask to be paid in cash instead of a check or credit card.

Reputable companies will show you proof of what needs doing and what they did, and most reputable companies will work hard to ensure you’re happy with the work, even if it means doing something over.

As you can see, there’s a common theme among most scams: extremely low prices and high-pressure tactics.

The best way to avoid getting taken is to do your research. Look up the company online and confirm they have a long track record of delivering solid work and happy customers.

Also, look for companies that belong to organizations like the Chimney Safety Institute of America and the National Chimney Sweep Guild. These certifications show the company has the proper training and adheres to industry standards.

Lastly, avoid cash payments. Use a credit card or check to create a paper trail or stop payment if you find out you’ve been scammed.

We’re the Local Pros You Can Trust

Twin City Fireplace is a local, family-owned and operated chimney and fireplace company with a stellar reputation for providing high-quality work throughout Minnesota. We’re certified by the National Fireplace Institute and the Builders Association of the Twin Cities. Call us today for your chimney and fireplace needs!