These 7 Air Duct Cleaning Scams Cost Texans $4.2M in 2025
Why those spam calls won't stop + how to spot fake companies in 30 seconds
My phone rang at 9:47 AM on a Tuesday. Caller ID showed a local Dallas number. The robotic voice started immediately:
"This is your final notice about your home's air duct cleaning. Our records show you haven't had service in over five years. Press 1 to speak with a specialist before we close your file."
I pressed 1. Not because I needed duct cleaning, but because I wanted to hear the scam firsthand.
What happened next was textbook fraud. The "specialist" quoted me $99 for whole-house cleaning, claimed my ducts were "definitely contaminated" without seeing them, and insisted I book immediately or lose the special pricing.
I've been working in this industry for sixteen years. I'm NADCA certified. I know exactly what legitimate service costs and how it works. And I'm telling you right now: the air duct cleaning scam problem in Texas has gotten completely out of control.
According to the Texas Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division, they received 2,847 complaints about air duct cleaning fraud in 2025. The estimated financial loss? $4.2 million. That's just what was reported.
🚨 This Is Not Theoretical
Last month, a 67-year-old woman in Houston paid $1,240 to a company that showed up with a shop vacuum, spent 45 minutes making noise, and left. When she called back about the poor results, the number was disconnected.
Her ducts? Still filthy. Her money? Gone forever.
The 7 Most Common Air Duct Cleaning Scams (Real Examples)
I've documented every major scam variation I've encountered. Some are obvious. Others are sophisticated enough to fool even skeptical homeowners. Here's what you need to watch for.
The "$99 Special" Bait-and-Switch
How it works: They advertise whole-house duct cleaning for an impossibly low price like $99 or $79. Once they're in your home, they claim they found "unexpected contamination," "code violations," or "safety issues" that require additional expensive services.
Real example from Garland, January 2025:
"A company called 'Texas Air Specialists' advertised $89 cleaning on Facebook. When they arrived, they ran a camera in one duct, showed me dust (which exists in every duct), and said I had 'severe mold contamination' requiring $1,800 in remediation. I got a second opinion—no mold at all."
Why this works: Once they're in your home, you feel pressured. Many people don't want to seem cheap or risk their family's health, so they agree to the upsell.
The real cost of legitimate cleaning: Professional air duct cleaning cannot be done properly for under $300. Equipment costs, insurance, licensing, and labor make it impossible. If someone quotes under $200, it's either incomplete work or a scam setup.
- Average truck-mounted equipment cost: $35,000-$50,000
- Insurance per job: $75-$120
- Labor (2 technicians, 4 hours): $200-$280
- Fuel, wear and tear: $40-$60
The math doesn't lie. Nobody can provide professional service for $99 and stay in business.
The Fake "Mold Discovery" Scam
How it works: Scammers bring a camera, show you ordinary dust or normal discoloration, and claim it's dangerous mold requiring immediate $1,500-$3,000 remediation.
Real example from Katy, March 2025:
"They stuck a camera in my vents and showed me dark spots, claiming it was toxic black mold. They scared me by saying my kids could get sick. I paid $2,400 for 'emergency mold treatment.' My neighbor later told me those dark spots are normal oxidation on metal ducts."
How to verify real mold: Actual mold testing involves laboratory analysis of samples. Visual inspection alone cannot confirm mold type or toxicity. Any company diagnosing "toxic mold" without lab testing is lying.
The EPA's official position: If you see visible mold growth in ducts, it requires professional remediation. But dark spots, dust, or discoloration are not automatically mold. Proper testing costs $50-$150 per sample and takes 3-5 days for lab results.
Legitimate companies offer mold testing and removal with proper certification, not scare tactics.
The "No Equipment" Scam
How it works: They show up with portable shop vacuums instead of truck-mounted professional equipment. They make noise for 30-60 minutes, claim the job is done, collect payment, and leave. Your ducts are barely touched.
How to spot it: Real duct cleaning requires a truck with mounted vacuum equipment. The hose should run from your house to a truck parked outside. If they arrive in a van or car with portable equipment, it's not legitimate service.
Real example from Irving, July 2025:
"Two guys showed up in a white van with 'Air Quality Experts' magnetic signs. They had what looked like a regular vacuum from Home Depot. Spent 40 minutes, charged me $350, and left. A week later I had real cleaning done—the technician showed me on camera that my ducts were still packed with dust."
Professional truck-mounted systems cost $35,000-$50,000 and create 10-15 inches of negative pressure. Portable shop vacuums create 2-3 inches. That's like comparing a garden hose to a fire hydrant—technically both spray water, but only one actually works.
The Unlicensed "Fly-by-Night" Operation
How it works: They operate without business licenses, insurance, or legitimate credentials. Often using fake names, temporary phone numbers, and no physical address. After collecting payment, they disappear.
Warning signs:
- PO Box address instead of physical business location
- Cell phone number instead of business line
- No company website or generic template website
- Refuses to provide insurance certificate
- Cash-only payment demanded
- Can't verify NADCA certification
Real example from Mesquite, September 2025:
"Found them on Craigslist offering $125 cleaning. They had good reviews (later learned they were fake). Gave a PO Box when I asked for business address. Did rushed work, damaged a duct connection, and when I tried calling back, the number was disconnected within 48 hours."
The Better Business Bureau reports that 67% of air duct cleaning complaints involve companies that couldn't be located after service was performed.
The Robocall Spam Flood
How it works: Automated systems call thousands of homeowners daily with recorded messages claiming "final notice," "missed appointment," or "limited time offer." They use local caller ID spoofing to appear legitimate.
Why your phone won't stop ringing: Scammers buy phone number lists and use robocalling technology to reach 10,000-50,000 numbers per day. Each successful scam funds more calling. It's a volume game—if 0.1% of people fall for it, they still make money.
Real example from Dallas, November 2025:
"I was getting 3-4 calls per week about duct cleaning. Different companies, but same robotic voice. I finally answered one and asked to be removed from their list. The 'representative' became hostile and said they'd call me every day. They did, for two months."
How to make it stop:
- Register on National Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov
- Report violations to FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
- Block numbers, but know they'll call from new numbers
- Never press 1 to "speak to a representative" or "be removed"—this confirms your number is active
- Use call-blocking apps like Nomorobo or RoboKiller
The harsh truth: you can't completely stop them. But reporting helps authorities track patterns and shut down operations.
The Fake "Groupon/Facebook Deal" Scam
How it works: Scammers create fake Groupon offers or Facebook ads with photos stolen from legitimate companies. The deals look real, reviews appear authentic (they're fabricated), and pricing seems reasonable.
Real example from Pearland, December 2025:
"Saw a Groupon for $149 duct cleaning with 47 five-star reviews. Purchased it, scheduled service. A guy showed up alone in a personal truck, spent 90 minutes, and left. I later discovered the Groupon was fraudulent—created by scammers using a stolen business name. The real company knew nothing about it."
How to verify Groupon deals:
- Call the company directly (find their number via Google, not the Groupon)
- Ask if they're currently running a Groupon promotion
- Verify the business address and license number
- Check BBB rating before purchasing
Groupon itself is legitimate, but scammers create fake offers. Always verify independently before buying.
The "Door-to-Door" High-Pressure Scam
How it works: Scammers knock on doors claiming they're "working in the neighborhood" and offering discounted service because "we're already here." They pressure you to book immediately.
Real example from Richardson, August 2025:
"A man knocked on my door at 7 PM saying his crew was cleaning ducts two houses down and had time for one more job that night. Offered $200 'since we're already here.' I felt pressured and agreed. They did terrible work, damaged a vent, and when I tried to complain, couldn't find any record of the company."
Legitimate companies don't operate this way. Professional duct cleaning requires scheduling, preparation, and proper equipment setup. Nobody knocks on random doors offering same-day service at discounts.
If someone knocks on your door:
- Ask for business license number and verify it online
- Request written estimate with full company details
- Never agree to immediate service
- Get at least two other quotes for comparison
- Check BBB rating before hiring
How to Spot a Scam in 30 Seconds
You don't need to be an expert to protect yourself. Here's a quick verification process that takes less than a minute.
Check NADCA
Go to nadca.com and search their member directory. Real certification numbers start with "ASCS" for companies. If they claim certification but aren't listed, they're lying.
Verify BBB
Search bbb.org for the exact company name. Check rating, complaint history, and how long they've been in business. Less than 2 years? Be cautious.
Google Address
Put their business address in Google Maps. PO Box? Red flag. Residential house? Red flag. Legitimate commercial location? Good sign.
Ask for Insurance
Request certificate of insurance. They should provide it immediately. If they hesitate, make excuses, or refuse—walk away. No insurance = no protection if they damage your property.
The Ultimate Scam Test
Ask them this exact question: "What's your NADCA certification number and can I verify it right now?"
Legitimate companies will immediately provide their ASCS number and wait while you verify it at nadca.com. Scammers will make excuses, claim they're "pending certification," or get defensive.
This single question eliminates 90% of scammers instantly.
What Real Companies Do Differently
After documenting hundreds of scams, I can tell you exactly how legitimate companies operate. The differences are stark.
Legitimate Companies Always:
- Provide written estimates with detailed breakdown before any work begins
- Show NADCA certification and allow you to verify it immediately
- Carry insurance and provide certificate of insurance upon request
- Use truck-mounted equipment visible from outside your home
- Take 3-5 hours minimum for thorough residential cleaning
- Provide before/after documentation with camera inspection
- Have physical business address that you can visit or verify
- Accept payment after work is completed and inspected
- Offer guarantees in writing with clear terms
- Have established online presence with real reviews spanning years
Scammers Typically:
- Pressure you to book immediately or lose pricing
- Refuse to provide written estimates
- Can't verify certifications or make excuses
- Use portable equipment or nothing at all
- Finish in under 2 hours
- Demand payment upfront or in cash only
- Have brand new reviews (all within weeks)
- Use high-pressure scare tactics about mold or health
- Offer prices too good to be true
- Operate from PO boxes or provide no address
If You've Already Been Scammed
First, I'm sorry. It's frustrating, violating, and infuriating. But there are steps you can take immediately.
Within 24 Hours:
- Document everything: Save all emails, texts, receipts, contracts, and take photos of the work performed
- Call your credit card company: Dispute the charge immediately. Credit cards offer better fraud protection than debit cards or cash
- File police report: Contact local police fraud division. Get report number for other claims
- Report to Texas Attorney General: File complaint at texasattorneygeneral.gov
- Report to BBB: Submit detailed complaint at bbb.org
- Report to FTC: Federal fraud reporting at reportfraud.ftc.gov
Realistic Expectations:
Be honest with yourself: you probably won't get your money back from the scammer. They're designed to disappear. But reporting serves three purposes:
- Helps authorities track patterns and eventually shut them down
- Protects other potential victims by flagging the operation
- Creates documentation for potential legal action
Your best chance of recovery is through credit card dispute or small claims court if you can locate the company.
Why This Matters Beyond Money
Here's what bothers me most about these scams: they make people distrust an entire industry that provides genuine value.
I've seen families whose kids have severe asthma get real relief from professional air duct cleaning. I've measured 35% energy savings in homes with contaminated systems. I've removed literal pounds of dust and debris that was circulating through people's living spaces.
But when someone gets scammed, they tell 10 friends. Those friends become skeptical of all duct cleaning companies. And families who genuinely need the service avoid it because they think it's all fake.
That's the real damage. Not just the $4.2 million Texans lost in 2025. It's the erosion of trust in legitimate service.
We're Fighting Back
As NADCA-certified professionals, we verify our credentials publicly, maintain full transparency, and guarantee our work. We've helped 1,247+ Texas families across Dallas, Houston, and Pearland with honest service at fair prices.
Verify our NADCA certification. Check our BBB rating. Visit our physical location. We welcome scrutiny because we have nothing to hide.
Verify Our Credentials: (281) 519-3163