More and more suspicious publications are appearing on local Facebook pages, particularly on “Spotted: Saint-Georges-de-Beauce” type groups, or in other municipalities in the region.
The mechanism of the scam
These scammers use a method called “bait and switch”. The process is simple: they first lure people in with a too-good-to-be-true offer, then raise prices or add fees once the service begins.
The bait: The posts come in the form of generic messages, often accompanied by phrases like “Believe my work, not my words!” » or even “Special price for the week”. They are sometimes illustrated with photos of dirty and clean air ducts, or filters before/after cleaning. These deals offer a very low rate, like $100 for a full service that would normally cost close to $300.
What makes these scams even more believable is that the people posting seem real. Their profiles display family photos, sharing memes, or mundane interactions with other users. In reality, it is likely that these accounts have been hacked, or that they are controlled by a network of scammers.
The trap: Once the offer is accepted, the scammers travel to the victim’s home. They generally perform poor quality or even sloppy work, then take advantage of their presence to offer other services, such as filter replacement or disinfectant treatments. In some cases, they go so far as to charge for products used during cleaning, thereby inflating the final price. What seemed like a good deal at $99 then turns into a bill of $250 or more.
How to spot them?
To avoid falling for these scams, it is essential to know how to spot the warning signs. Here are some clues that may alert readers:
– Price proposals too low: If the price displayed is well below the average rate for this type of service, there is a good chance that something is not right.
– Absence of company name: Ads never mention a company name, website or license number. Legal information is either non-existent or very vague.
– Poorly written posts: Posts often have grammatical or syntax errors, which may indicate an attempt at machine translation.
– Multiple recommendation comments: We sometimes observe several comments from users, often not very active on Facebook, who recommend the service without ever going into details.
– Contact only by private message: If you are encouraged to communicate only by private message to set up an appointment or obtain more information, this may indicate suspicious behavior.
What to do if you spot a scam?
If you come across a suspicious ad or think you are dealing with a scam, here are the actions to take:
- Do not interact: Avoid contacting the scammer or sharing your personal information. This could expose you further.
- Report the post: Use Facebook’s reporting tools to alert the moderators of the affected page or group.
- Warn the community: Post a warning message on the group or page where you saw the ad. This will allow you to inform other users of the possible scam and encourage them to remain vigilant.
- Contact local authorities: If you think you have been the victim of a scam, do not hesitate to report the incident to local authorities or a consumer protection center.
Faced with the rise in online scams, it is important to exercise caution and vigilance. Discounted cleaning services on Facebook are often just a front to lure victims in and extract more money from them.
It is recommended to never be fooled by offers that seem too good to be true, and to always check the company’s information before committing. Importantly, these scammers will do anything to appear legitimate, sometimes going so far as to travel and carry out work.
