The arrests followed an investigation by the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP), which alleges the men turned a $39.95 chimney cleaning estimate into a recommendation for $3,200 in unnecessary repairs. Charges against the pair ranged from impersonating home contractors to performing work without a license.
According to Connecticut Better Business Bureau President, Paulette Scarpetti, this is not a new scam, and the intervention by DCP shows its potential to cheat consumers.
“When a contractor tells you that your life is in danger or part of your home needs urgent repairs to prevent serious damage, your first instinct is to protect yourself and your property. Unlicensed and dishonest contractors often use fear tactics to turn routine maintenance into an unnecessary costly and potentially unsafe job.”
Chimney cleaning fraud usually starts with a postcard, flyer, an unsolicited telephone call or e-mail and an unusually low price, typically around $40.00. Once the scammers perform an inspection, they may say that there is structural damage, problems with the chimney cap (also known as a spark arrester), and may even bring in dead birds or chunks of concrete to illustrate the “problems.”
They often claim there is a carbon monoxide leak or that the chimney liner needs replacing. Chimney liners cost thousands of dollars, and some con artist contractors may replace a perfectly good liner with one that may not even fit properly, or only line part of the chimney.
Connecticut Better Business Bureau offers the following advice to consumers to prevent them from becoming victims of chimney cleaning fraud:
Don’t be taken in by low prices:
An inspection usually costs $75 dollars; the cleaning is another $150 and should take about an hour. No reputable chimney cleaner will do an inspection and cleaning for $40.
Protect yourself from being pushed or frightened into immediate action:
A chimney carbon monoxide leak is extremely rare. There are instruments to measure this. If they make this claim, ask them to prove it.
Ask for documentation:
Check to see that the company is licensed and insured. You can check to see if it has a history of complaints by checking their Reliability Report at www.bbb.org.
In some cities and towns, the local fire department may provide free chimney inspections.
How often does a fireplace chimney need to be cleaned? If it is used more than three times a week it should be done every year. One clear sign that it needs attention is if soot falls from the damper when it is opened. Once you have reputable experts doing the job, they also can tell you whether your furnace chimney needs cleaning.
