How to Spot a Scam Artist!

Beware of Scammers

In the last week we've received calls from three separate longstanding clients of ours concerning HVAC scam artists. Each of these customers was visited by an unknown service technician claiming to be from “Natural Gas” on a scheduled furnace maintenance call.

Fortunately, these customers were aware of the regular maintenance schedule and didn't let the scam artist through their doors.

If a technician shows up at your door claiming to be there for a scheduled maintenance call which you, who would have been part of the initial scheduling, don’t remember scheduling, there are a few ways you can determine whether or not the technician really is there on a legitimate maintenance job or whether they’re just trying to get inside your home.

What You Can Look For…

1. An unmarked truck: Each customer reported an unmarked van, rather than the usual brightly decorated van with Appleby Systems adorned on the side. If the technician’s truck is unmarked, they aren’t with Appleby.
2. Uniforms: Our technicians wear the same, familiar uniforms every day. If the technician isn’t wearing the standard Appleby Systems uniform (including a hat and golf shirt or sweater clearly marked with Appleby Systems’ logo), they aren’t with Appleby.
3. An Appleby Systems invoice: A technician should have an invoice for you to look over before/after your service is complete, and that invoice should contain a clear Appleby Systems logo. If the technician isn’t willing to show you an invoice, or the invoice they show you doesn’t have the Appleby Systems logo, they aren’t with us.
4. Phone number: Ask the technician to call head office so head office can call you back to confirm the validity of the scheduled service. One customer requested this and the call came back from an unidentifiable number. When you get a call from Applyby Systems, it will say so directly on your phone. If the number appears blocked, unavailable or from anywhere else, they aren’t with Appleby.
5. Certification: All our technicians are gas certified with a Technical Standards & Safety Authority (TSAA) number. They carry this certification at all times and will provide it for you when asked. This is an official technical document, and if the technician can’t show you one, they aren’t with Appleby.

What You Can Do…

Say goodbye, close the door and write down their license plate if you safely can. Then give us a call to let us know you’ve been visited by this shady scammer.

Appleby technicians are identifiable in all the ways listed above. Don’t let somebody claiming to be something they’re not inside your home.