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How You Can Take Action Against Fraudulent Chimney Companies
As the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) remains steadfast in its commitment to combat the rise of fraudulent chimney companies, we continue to bring awareness to this concerning trend.
Several months ago, we issued a press release acknowledging the unauthorized entities abusing our credentials and logos to mislead consumers. In this article, we are sharing strategies for identifying and taking action against these deceptive companies.
Identifying and Addressing Fake Business Listings on Google
One of the latest challenges in combating fraudulent chimney companies is the prevalence of fake business listings on platforms like Google. These listings often mimic legitimate businesses, using similar names, addresses, and even stolen logos. Here are some key indicators to help you identify a fake business listing:
Non-Existent Address: Be wary of businesses that provide vague or non-existent addresses. Fake listings may use invalid addresses or claim to be located in areas where no physical presence exists.
Lack of Genuine Contact Information: Legitimate businesses typically provide accurate contact information, including phone numbers and email addresses. If a business lacks valid contact details or only offers a generic email address, it could be a red flag.
Inconsistencies in Business Details: Pay attention to inconsistencies in business details such as names, addresses, and services offered. Fake listings may use variations of legitimate business names or provide misleading information about their services.
How To Report a Fraudulent Business Listing on Google
To report a fraudulent listing on Google, you can take the following steps:
Via Google Maps:
Open Google Maps.
Find the listing you want to report for review.
Select the listing, then Suggest an edit, then Close or remove.
Choose the reason the place should be removed.
Click Submit.
Via Google Business Profile Manager:
This formal complaint form that Google set up to report business listings is much more detailed than the “Suggest an edit” option. You must provide precise and accurate information in the Business Redressal Complaint form.
We recommend that you take the time to compile the requested information and provide as much evidence as possible to support your claim that a business location is fake. Attach photos, screenshots, and other documentation to show this fake business listing is affecting your business and others in the local marketing area.
Log in to your Google Business Profile Manager on a desktop browser.
Navigate to the Support section.
Utilize the help community or contact secondary support directly to report the fraudulent listing.
Google will investigate your report, and if they find the listings you reported are breaking their Google Business Profile listing guidelines, they will remove them from map results. This review process can take up to 60 days.
Filing an Ethics Complaint with the National Chimney Sweep Guild
The NCSG takes ethics violations seriously, and every claim is reviewed by the Ethics Chair and Ethics Committee.
While the NCSG can only take action against active members violating the ethics pledge or nonmember businesses misusing our logos or credentials, we encourage our members to utilize our ethics complaint process if they encounter either of these situations.
The NCSG website has a homeowner portal for members and consumers to identify trusted businesses and certified chimney professionals. Visit ncsg.org/ homeowner-hub if you suspect a company is misusing NCSG logos or certifications.
To submit an ethics violation, please visit ncsg.org/ethicspledge and click on the Ethics Violation Form link at the bottom of the page. Ethics violations can be submitted anonymously to prevent retaliation.
Empowering Consumers Through Education
You can empower your customers by providing educational resources on chimney maintenance, safety practices, and the benefits of hiring certified professionals. Transparency in pricing and service information, open communication to address concerns, and promotion of NCSG certification and membership as marks of credibility are key.
Encouraging referrals, staying updated on industry trends, and attending NCSG events further solidify professionalism and trust within the community, ensuring informed decisions by consumers when selecting chimney sweep services.
In our collective effort to maintain integrity within the chimney service industry, the NCSG encourages its members to remain vigilant and proactive in identifying fraudulent practices. By taking decisive actions such as reporting fake business listings on Google and filing ethics complaints against violators, we uphold the standards of professionalism and protect consumers from falling victim to deceptive practices.
