09/04/2025
🚨 IMPORTANT COMMUNITY SAFETY ALERT from Lake-Sumter Dryer Vent Cleaning 🚨
To our valued customers and neighbors in The Villages and surrounding communities,
We are writing to share a critical warning about a sophisticated scam that recently targeted one of our potential customers. Our goal is to prevent this from happening to anyone else.
What Happened:
A resident was kindly referred to us by her neighbor. When she searched for our company online, she clicked on a deceptive ad at the top of Google that was designed to look exactly like it was for our company.
She unknowingly scheduled an appointment with these imposters. Their technician attempted to aggressively upsell an HVAC Air Duct Cleaning service. When she declined, he performed a quick, subpar dryer vent cleaning and then insisted on "inspecting" the attic. There, he applied a substance to her vent run and added a significant, unauthorized charge to her bill.
We were alerted to this by her concerned neighbor. As soon as we found out, our team immediately went to her home to properly inspect the work, document the situation, and ensure her dryer vent system was safe and operating correctly—all at no charge.
Your safety is our absolute priority. We will not stand by while bad actors exploit members of our community, especially under our trusted name.
To help you stay safe, here are a few simple tips to ensure you are always dealing with a legitimate and professional service provider:
How to Protect Yourself:
• ✅ Verify the Source: When searching for a specific business online, it's often best to scroll past the top results marked "Ad" and click on the official website listing. This ensures you are connecting directly with the company you intend to reach.
• ✅ Confirm Their Identity: A professional technician will be in a marked vehicle, wear a uniform, and be happy to provide identification. If something feels off, trust your gut. Our company, for example, sends a text message with our technician's photo when they are en route to your home.
• ✅ No Surprises on the Bill: The price you agree to should be the price you pay. While legitimate add-ons can exist (like replacing a hazardous vent tube), they must be clearly explained and approved by YOU before any work is done. Never accept surprise charges on your final invoice.
A Quick Note on Florida Licensing (And Why We Don't Clean Air Ducts):
This is a perfect opportunity for a crucial clarification. The scammers in this situation tried to upsell an HVAC Air Duct Cleaning. In the State of Florida, any work on HVAC systems requires a specific state-issued professional license.
• Dryer Vent Cleaning, the specialized service we provide, does not require (or even have) a state license category.
• HVAC Air Duct Cleaning absolutely requires a license.
This is precisely why Lake-Sumter Dryer Vent Cleaning focuses exclusively on dryer vents and does NOT offer HVAC services. We operate with full integrity and will only perform services that fall within the proper state regulations and our field of expertise.
Official Florida Resources: Be Empowered!
The State of Florida takes fraud, especially against seniors, very seriously. If you believe you have been scammed or want to verify a company's credentials, please use these official resources.
• Verify a Professional License: Before hiring for any service that requires a license (HVAC, plumbing, electrical, etc.), you can verify their status with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
Link: https://www.myfloridalicense.com/wl11.asp
• Report a Scam or Unlicensed Activity:
If you have been the victim of a scam or suspect fraudulent business practices, report it immediately. Reporting helps protect your friends and neighbors.
Report to the Florida Attorney General:
http://www.myfloridalegal.com/consumer-protection/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others-from-scams
Report Unlicensed Activity to the DBPR:
http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/reg/ula.html
Please share this post to help us spread the word and protect our community. Thank you for your continued trust in us.
Sincerely,
The Team at Lake-Sumter Dryer Vent Cleaning
(352) 787-5202
https://lakesumterdryerventcleaning.com