BOLO: Chimney Scammers on the Rise!

It’s unfortunate, but scammers are everywhere. They’re in your e-mail inbox and can show up at your front door. Their mission is to separate you from your money, and sadly, many people fall into their traps and lose hundreds or thousands of dollars.

You might never think about your chimney, but the scammers do, and they’re full of tactics to scare you into thinking something’s wrong so you’ll hand over your cash to save the day.

Let’s look at the most common chimney scams, how they work, and what you can do to protect yourself.

The “Dangerous Crack” or “Collapsed Flue” Scam

Most chimney components are hidden, and people don’t know what’s going on inside. They also don’t know much about chimneys, other than they direct smoke and gases out of the house when they use their fireplace. Scammers take advantage of that lack of knowledge. One common scam is when a company offers to conduct an inspection, usually at a heavily discounted price or for free, and then finds a major problem, such as a crack or a damaged flue liner. They might show you a photo detailing the issue that isn’t even your chimney.

They’ll tell the homeowner that this problem could lead to a chimney fire or carbon monoxide poisoning and that it needs to be fixed immediately. In a panic, the homeowner agrees, and now they’re on the hook.

You can protect yourself by asking them to run a video camera up the chimney in real time so you can see the damage for yourself. If it’s really a serious issue, get another professional inspection from a reputable company to confirm it before agreeing to repairs. Never agree to expensive fixes on the spot!

The Bait and Switch Inspection

Another popular scam is when a company sends out a flyer or email, or shows up in person, offering an extremely cheap cleaning or inspection, sometimes as low as $49. That is a deal because reputable companies can charge up to $400 for that service because of their training, superior equipment, and expertise.

Scammers use these low-ball offers to get into your home. Once inside, the technician “suddenly” finds thousands of dollars worth of damage. Like the “Dangerous Crack” scam, the technician says the issue must be fixed now and that the initial low price disappears. Scammers use high-pressure tactics and claims that your chimney is unsafe.

Remember the old adage that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Ask upfront what the inspection includes and whether they provide a written checklist of the “problems” so you can verify it with another company. You should also research average prices for this service from reputable local companies. Your local professional may offer a first-time customer discount or other promotion, but rarely will the price be that low.

The Fake Inspection

There are three levels of chimney inspections. Level 1 is a basic visual inspection; Level 2 is more detailed, with video or photos of the interior; and Level 3 requires removing parts of the chimney to see into hidden areas.

A scammer may offer to do a Level 2 inspection at a discounted price. They’ll claim they performed the inspection, but actually didn’t do anything, and you still get charged. Many homeowners don’t know what the different levels mean or entail, so they’re none the wiser and out a few hundred dollars.

Ask the technician what tools they’ll use before they start. A legit Level 2 inspection includes internal video scanning, which you should see. Ask them to point out the issues and don’t take their word for it.

The Flashing and Masonry Upsell

Some unscrupulous chimney companies will conduct an inspection and tell you that your flashing or masonry is failing, which can lead to leaks or structural damage.

Normal wear, minor cracks, or cosmetics are presented as emergencies, and since many people don’t know about these things, they’ll assume the worst.

As you can see, these scammers rely on people’s lack of knowledge and fear to get them to part with their hard-earned money.

The best way to protect yourself is to always go with a local, reputable chimney and fireplace company that has a long history of positive reviews. Professional chimney and fireplace companies are certified and will gladly provide references for you to check.

Trust Chimney Saver Solutions!

Chimney Saver Solutions is the most respected full-service chimney company in Richmond, VA, and the surrounding areas. We have over 20 years of experience and are certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America and the National Fireplace Institute. Our technicians undergo continuous training to stay up to date with the latest equipment and techniques, providing our customers with the best service possible. If you need a cleaning, inspection, masonry work, or anything else, call us first!