Happy New Year! The first duct cleaning call of 2024

A New Year’s Wake-Up Call

I’m writing this on the morning of January 1, 2024. I was still getting the sleep out of my eyes when the phone rang, and I figured it was a friend, family member, or a customer. Instead, I got a broken connection and a voice from overseas — India, I think — asking if I was interested in duct cleaning for $99.

Nine hours and 44 minutes into 2024, and I’d already gotten my first solicited scam call of the year. I was shocked but honestly a little amused, so I let the pitch play out. He offered to clean all my vents, ducts, and throw in a sanitation spray, all for the low, low price of $99. When I asked what company he was calling from, he told me Ontario Duct Cleaning.

Here’s the thing — Ontario Duct Cleaning is our actual competition, and they’re a legitimate company, just like us. I know my competitors well enough to recognize when someone’s using their name without permission. This caller had nothing to do with the real Ontario Duct Cleaning — turned out to be someone operating out of North Toronto, using a well-known name to cheat customers out of $99 for absolutely nothing.

Proof, Because I Always Like to Have It

I recorded the call, because I like to have proof when I make claims like this. Beyond that, I just said it was too early in the morning for this and moved on. Not exactly the start to the year I was hoping for, but it’s a good reminder of how easy it is to fall for these scams, especially when they’re using a name you actually recognize.

How to Avoid Falling for the Same Thing

If you get a call like this, hang up and contact the company directly using their official phone number or website, not whatever number just called you. Always verify who you’re actually dealing with before agreeing to anything, especially at a price that sounds too good to be true. Educating yourself on these tactics is the single best way to avoid losing money to them.

A Reflection on Getting Scammed as the Guy Who Runs a Duct Cleaning Company

This whole thing made me think about how we communicate as an industry, and the lengths some people will go to reach potential customers. Even the owner of a legitimate duct cleaning company gets targeted by these calls — it’s a little funny in retrospect, but it points to a real, ongoing problem. Staying transparent and trustworthy with our own customers matters more because of exactly this kind of thing happening in our industry.

A New Year’s Message

After that call, I figured it was worth sharing. Happy New Year, and a safe one to all of you. Even the owner of a duct cleaning company gets these annoying calls — so if you actually need duct cleaning done, you’ll have to call us. We won’t call you first. Reach us at 905.333.5454 or request a quote online anytime. Staying vigilant is the best protection any of us have, and we’re here to provide the real thing when you need it.