Chimney and Air Duct Cleaning Scams Spread Across New Jersey, Targeting Homeowners Through Social Media

1

A wave of scams involving chimney and air duct cleaning is hitting New Jersey, with fraudsters using social media platforms like Facebook to lure in unsuspecting homeowners. Reports are mounting from towns across the state, where residents say they’ve been approached online by companies advertising “deep discounts” on cleaning services, only to be hit with exorbitant hidden fees or substandard work. Many of these scams are allegedly run by foreign entities that use misleading ads to appear local and trustworthy.

The Bait-and-Switch Tactics Behind the Scams

The scheme often begins with a seemingly legitimate social media ad, promising professional chimney or air duct cleaning for an incredibly low price—sometimes as low as $49. Once a homeowner expresses interest, the company quickly arranges an appointment. However, when the service provider arrives, the story changes. They might claim that the initial price covers only an “inspection” and upsell additional “urgent” services that can bring the final bill to hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

In some cases, homeowners have reported that the cleaners provided no meaningful service at all. Instead, they simply moved a bit of visible dust around, took pictures, and left. Worse still, some have allegedly used fear tactics, telling homeowners that their chimneys or ducts posed a health hazard or fire risk that needed immediate attention—pressuring them to pay on the spot.

Social Media: A Tool for Deception

These scams have spread with alarming speed, thanks largely to social media. On platforms like Facebook and Instagram, these companies can quickly and cheaply advertise to a wide audience, reaching thousands of potential customers in their local areas with minimal effort. With targeted ads and fake positive reviews, they create the illusion of a trusted local business, even though many of these companies have no established presence in the U.S. beyond social media.

The ads often use generic stock images and vague language to avoid detection, and when complaints mount, they can easily shut down one page and open another under a different name. Law enforcement agencies in New Jersey have identified several accounts operating from overseas, making it challenging to track or hold accountable.