CHIMNEY SAFETY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA (CSIA)

  • Homeowners
    • Find a Certified Pro
    • Homeowner Resources >
      • Homeowner FAQs
      • Hiring a Chimney Sweep >
        • When to Hire a Chimney Sweep
        • What to Expect - Chimney Sweep & Inspection
        • Cost Guide - Chimney Care
        • Multiple Estimates - Now What?
      • Chimney Info >
        • Chimney Safety Overview
        • About Chimney Inspections
        • Facts About Chimney Fires
        • How do Chimneys Work?
      • Blog
      • CSIA® Accepted Products >
        • ChimFex Fire Suppressant
        • Creosote Buster Firelog
        • CSL Creosote Sweeping Log
        • Duraflame Firelogs
        • Duct Cleaners Supply
        • National Chimney
        • SaverSystems
  • Professionals
    • Pro Login
    • Listings2Leads Login
    • Certification or Renewal >
      • Certification >
        • CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep®
        • CSIA Certified Chimney Specialist®
        • CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician®
        • CSIA Master Chimney Sweep®
      • Renew Your Credential >
        • Renew CSIA® Certified Chimney Sweep Credential
        • Renew CSIA® Certified Chimney Specialist Credential
        • Renew CSIA® CDET Credential
        • Renew CSIA® Master Chimney Sweep Credential
    • CEU Tips
    • CSIA® Exam Guide >
      • Proctored Exams
      • Accepted Exam Proctors
      • Proctor Free
    • Career
    • Military Benefits
    • Annual Certification Fee
  • Sweep Shop
  • CSIA University
    • CSIA Education & Training
    • CSIA Global Online Campus through SureFire
    • CSIA® Contracted Mobile Training
    • CSIA Instructors >
      • Instructor Application
    • NEW Center for Education, Training & Research
    • Preferred Hotels
    • Chimney Science & Research >
      • CSIA White Papers
    • CEU Course Application
  • Sponsorship
    • Sponsorship Opportunities
    • Donate With Us
  • About
    • Board of Trustees >
      • Join the Board
    • Join a Committee >
      • Volunteer Committees
    • CSIA Staff
    • Fundraising >
      • Sweep Away Cancer
      • Warrior Horse
    • Our Mission & Values
    • Bylaws
    • Public Policy / Advocacy
    • Affiliates & Resources
    • Refund Policy
    • Trademarks & Ethics Processes
    • Non Discrimination & Diversity Statement
  • Contact
  • Homeowners
    • Find a Certified Pro
    • Homeowner Resources >
      • Homeowner FAQs
      • Hiring a Chimney Sweep >
        • When to Hire a Chimney Sweep
        • What to Expect - Chimney Sweep & Inspection
        • Cost Guide - Chimney Care
        • Multiple Estimates - Now What?
      • Chimney Info >
        • Chimney Safety Overview
        • About Chimney Inspections
        • Facts About Chimney Fires
        • How do Chimneys Work?
      • Blog
      • CSIA® Accepted Products >
        • ChimFex Fire Suppressant
        • Creosote Buster Firelog
        • CSL Creosote Sweeping Log
        • Duraflame Firelogs
        • Duct Cleaners Supply
        • National Chimney
        • SaverSystems
  • Professionals
    • Pro Login
    • Listings2Leads Login
    • Certification or Renewal >
      • Certification >
        • CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep®
        • CSIA Certified Chimney Specialist®
        • CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician®
        • CSIA Master Chimney Sweep®
      • Renew Your Credential >
        • Renew CSIA® Certified Chimney Sweep Credential
        • Renew CSIA® Certified Chimney Specialist Credential
        • Renew CSIA® CDET Credential
        • Renew CSIA® Master Chimney Sweep Credential
    • CEU Tips
    • CSIA® Exam Guide >
      • Proctored Exams
      • Accepted Exam Proctors
      • Proctor Free
    • Career
    • Military Benefits
    • Annual Certification Fee
  • Sweep Shop
  • CSIA University
    • CSIA Education & Training
    • CSIA Global Online Campus through SureFire
    • CSIA® Contracted Mobile Training
    • CSIA Instructors >
      • Instructor Application
    • NEW Center for Education, Training & Research
    • Preferred Hotels
    • Chimney Science & Research >
      • CSIA White Papers
    • CEU Course Application
  • Sponsorship
    • Sponsorship Opportunities
    • Donate With Us
  • About
    • Board of Trustees >
      • Join the Board
    • Join a Committee >
      • Volunteer Committees
    • CSIA Staff
    • Fundraising >
      • Sweep Away Cancer
      • Warrior Horse
    • Our Mission & Values
    • Bylaws
    • Public Policy / Advocacy
    • Affiliates & Resources
    • Refund Policy
    • Trademarks & Ethics Processes
    • Non Discrimination & Diversity Statement
  • Contact

News

ARTICLE

Date ArticleType
9/28/2012 Press Release

Learn to Spot the Four Most-Common Chimney Scams before You Hire a Sweep

Learn to Spot the Four Most-Common Chimney Scams before You Hire a Sweep

Chimney Safety Institute of America warning comes during
National Chimney Safety Week

INDIANAPOLIS, September 27, 2012 – As winter approaches, so do scam artists trying to take your money for chimney cleaning services they are not trained to provide, warns the nonprofit Chimney Safety Institute of America. National Chimney Safety Week, Sept. 30 to Oct. 6, is a great time to learn how to avoid falling prey to the four most popular chimney scams.


• Pricing tricks: Rates for chimney cleaning can certainly vary from region to region and job to job. But as a rule, a basic Level 1 chimney inspection and sweeping should cost no more than $300. Anyone offering an “unbelievably-low-price special” may be trying to make a quick buck rather than provide the full range of services needed to ensure your chimney is safe.

• “Emergency” repairs: Scammers will often attempt to prey on your lack of expertise and stoke your fear with claims that specific, extensive repairs must be made immediately to keep your family safe. Collect at least three estimates (with documentation) before you make a decision about big-ticket repairs.

• Falsified experience: For the boldest scam artists, it’s not enough to mislead about the nature of the work they’ll perform. Some will lie about their industry experience and affiliations, too. Secure references, contact your local Better Business Bureau or state consumer protection office for background information, and do research to find out how long a company has been in the community.

• Faked credentials: A CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® has earned the industry's most respected credential by passing rigorous exams on fire codes, clearances and standards for the construction and maintenance of chimney and venting systems and have agreed to abide by CSIA’s strict Code of Ethics. With a 30 year history of being the symbol of industry excellence, scammers could attempt to misuse CSIA’s credential trademark given its status. Each CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep carries a photo ID marked with his or her individual CSIA credential, so ask to see it.

In addition, companies using the CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep trademark must have at least one CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep on jobsite, even on an inspection. Confirm with your service company that a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep will be a part of the team performing your work.

For more information about chimney and venting safety or to locate a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep, visit www.csia.org/search.

###

About CSIA
The Chimney Safety Institute of America is a non-profit, educational organization dedicated to chimney and venting system safety. CSIA is committed to the elimination of residential chimney fires, carbon monoxide intrusion and other chimney-related hazards that result in the loss of lives and property. To achieve these goals, CSIA devotes its resources to educating the public, chimney and venting professionals and other fire prevention specialists about the prevention and correction of chimney and venting system hazards.

Picture

Hours: M-F 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Eastern

Picture
Call 317-837-5362
Email Us

Follow Us

Find a Certified Pro
Pro Login
Copyright CSIA | All Rights Reserved
2155 Commercial Drive  |  Plainfield, IN 46168
 (317) 837-5362 | office@csia.org
Privacy | Terms of Use