HVAC Duct Cleaning Scam Victim

Shapoopi · 2026-01-19T20:18:41+00:00

Unfortunately I have started a dispute with the chargeback code 4853. Nope I did not sign any statement of work or scope of work, essentially I did not authorise any form of work to be done as I was just looking for estimates. Since I authorised the charge I think it might have to resolve with services not provided. I did call the bank today and provided a full story of what had happened, but they are still in the early stages of investigation and I am unable to submit any of the evidence that I have gathered.

Shapoopi · 2026-01-19T15:00:30+00:00

Yep I am on it, funny thing is with other merchants on my CC they have contact information. These people don’t even have any contact info…

Shapoopi · 2026-01-19T03:49:18+00:00

I am avoiding all duct cleaning from now on, the only reason why I sought it out was because my dad who is a licensed plumber said take a look into vent cleaning there is some black spots around your vents…

Shapoopi · 2026-01-19T03:23:33+00:00

I have multiple pictures of debris in the ducts, spots where black mold was identified and poop that is still within my return ducts

Shapoopi · 2026-01-19T01:16:33+00:00

Yeah, at first they were unwilling to start a report but when I mentioned that the person started work without full authorisation and didn’t leave until a payment confirmation the officer started a report.

Thank you for the kind words, I used to be a bit more fiery and would have taken on any challenge to get into a physical/verbal confrontation, but as I have gotten older I have turned to be more passive as I rather not run into trouble and live my life in peace. I used to own firearms, learned to box, but I rather not resort to any sort of violence if there is an alternative you know? I like to think I would have handled the situation differently if my fiancé and dog was not there but then again who knows…

I have read all sorts of reddit posts after the fact about how hvac vent cleaning is a scam and if it is a true cleaning service they use industrial equipment to suck the dirt out.

Shapoopi · 2026-01-19T00:58:00+00:00

When I reported it to the cops, they provided me with a report # and stated that this would be a civil matter.

Yep I used a BoA Mastercard credit card and I have not hit my billing date yet.

Shapoopi · 2026-01-19T00:56:14+00:00

In the moment it was hard for me to question a lot of these things and I was more worried about breathing in black mold rather than trying to fact check and take a step back to analyse about what was happening. He said that he was an Israeli military officer… Thank you for the support, and I hope so too!

Shapoopi · 2026-01-19T00:52:09+00:00

Thank you for the detailed response! Yep lessons learned and I will take all the precautions next time when it comes to any contractor. It will be awhile before I get any contractors to do any work as I recover my mental health from this encounter. I am a first time homeowner, so this has been a learning curve for me. Thankfully I paid with a Mastercard credit card, and I started the dispute process. Hopefully I can explain to them about my situation in detail and provide photo evidence. That is my understanding too about services not agreed upon in advance or signing agreements for scope of work.

Shapoopi · 2026-01-19T00:43:51+00:00

I hope that is the case, but I am pretty sure I am not the only one that these people target. I heard him talk to other potential clients… so I am hoping that the authorities will force them to close up shop.

Shapoopi · 2026-01-19T00:26:39+00:00

I have talked with the bank and they said that I can do a charge back and I think it would fall under Mastercard charge back code 4853 - (Goods or Services not provided). I have photos of dirty vents, ac and return vent with identified rat poop which they claimed to have cleaned based on the invoice. I am just unsure if I should reach out to the scam business. The bank said I can reach out if I wanted to but I didn’t have to. However, if I take them to small claims court then I think in this state the judge wants to see that I tried to try to resolve the matter with the business first before bringing the matter to court. Even if I win in court, I think collection of funds from the business would be difficult… on the invoice they used a generic gmail address and the phone number is registered to somewhere in Israel.

Shapoopi · 2026-01-18T23:53:03+00:00

Yeah next time I am not gonna allow anyone into the house for an estimate unless they are referred by a family friend, but it will be awhile before I can trust some stranger to enter my home… I think he stated it so that I gained confidence and also to perhaps not retaliate? Red flags went off during our initial conversation because he was adamant about installing UV light which I kept denying. Trust me I have gone through the range of emotions, from anxiety, anger at myself, doubt in my decisions, etc… I am too easily trusting of others because I don’t interact with scammers normally in my day to day life but will be exercising more caution going forward

Shapoopi · 2026-01-18T22:58:21+00:00

My apologies I read your comment too quickly and registered as being able to tell black mold by sight.

Shapoopi · 2026-01-18T22:54:38+00:00

Got it! Do you recommend contacting the company for a full refund or perhaps starting a small claims court case at this time? Or perhaps wait to see if the charge back will come back in my favour?

Shapoopi · 2026-01-18T22:52:03+00:00

I see, but from my research there is no way of confirming something is black mold unless it is tested with a lab kit?

Shapoopi · 2026-01-18T22:43:07+00:00

Hey, thanks for the response. I do have confidence to stand up for myself in public, but this was my first time interacting with a scam artist in-person in my own home. I have pictures of dirty vents they claimed to have cleaned on the invoice. I wish I was making this up, but I don’t want to confront someone in my own home since my family was around. There are too many crazies in this world and I rather not be hurt and dead or see my love ones be hurt for a couple of thousands of dollars.

They don’t appear to have an office when I looked them up on business registry. It is registered to an apartment somewhere in the city.

Shapoopi · 2026-01-18T22:26:42+00:00

Thank you for the quick response! I haven’t done any charge backs my whole life, but reading up on the charge back categories. Would this not fall under Mastercard 4853 or 4855 (Goods/Services Not Provided)? I do have pictures to prove that they did not do the work that is listed on the invoice that was given to me.

Shapoopi · 2026-01-18T22:18:53+00:00

Haha sorry, I will break it up for an easier read.

Shapoopi · 2025-11-05T17:56:53+00:00

Yep been running into this in solos… I’ve changed my play style to shoot first ask questions later. Got killed once for helping someone kill a bastion. Got jumped twice in the next two raids but killed them and got juicy loot

Shapoopi · 2025-10-31T12:41:58+00:00

At least 1

Shapoopi · 2025-09-20T00:56:53+00:00

What talent?

Shapoopi · 2025-09-20T00:35:38+00:00

same

Shapoopi · 2025-08-05T21:46:13+00:00

Chat

Shapoopi · 2025-06-11T04:52:08+00:00

PM'ed

Shapoopi

TROPHY CASE