Dirty duct cleaners.(SCAM ALERT)(Brief article)

You get a flyer in the mail from a company offering to clean your home's air ducts for just $99. When the rep arrives, he tries to sell you on other services, such as carpet cleaning or mold remediation. If you don't bite, he gives your ducts a cursory cleaning before moving on to the next mark.

HOW TO SPOT THE SCAM

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, there's no proof that cleaning ducts prevents health problems. Nor do studies conclusively show that dirty ducts increase levels of airborne particulates in a home.

While reputable companies may offer routine cleaning, lowball offers are a red flag. Duct cleaning an average 2,000-square-foot house typically costs between $400 and $1,000, according to the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA). It should take two people about 4 to 6 hours to complete the job.

TO CLEAN OR NOT TO CLEAN

Remove registers and shine a flash-light into the ductwork. Have your ducts cleaned if they contain visible mold buildup or have debris coming out of supply registers, or if the ducts are infested ...