--- title: "Canada’s Top Phone Scam: Air Ducts | Hiya" description: "Air duct cleaning scams are Canada’s #1 phone scam. Learn how scammers spoof numbers, upsell fake services, and how to stay protected." image: https://blog.hiya.com/hubfs/Air-Duct-Cleaning-Scams-A.jpg --- [![Hiya logo](https://blog.hiya.com/hubfs/hiya-new-purple.svg)](https://www.hiya.com/) Solutions Solutions [For Mobile Operators Protect your network](https://www.hiya.com/solutions/operators) [For Businesses Brand your calls](https://www.hiya.com/solutions/businesses) [For People Get the mobile app](https://www.hiya.com/products/apps/hiya-spam-blocker) ###### Webinar Branded Calling 101 Weekly Webinar Make your company's calls more recognizable. Learn how Hiya can drive value for your business. 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[Read eBook Arrow Right](https://www.hiya.com/resources/ebooks/10-tips-for-customer-friendly-phone-calls) [Get Started Arrow Right](https://www.hiya.com/#audience) [Log in](https://connect.hiya.com/login) [Get started](https://www.hiya.com/#audience) - [Home](https://hiya.com) - [Blog](https://blog.hiya.com) - [Canada’s #1 phone scam: air duct cleaning services](https://blog.hiya.com/canadas-1-phone-scam-air-duct-cleaning-services) [Hiya Protect](https://blog.hiya.com/tag/hiya-protect) [Scam Trends](https://blog.hiya.com/tag/scam-trends) # Canada’s #1 phone scam: air duct cleaning services [Patchen Noelke](https://blog.hiya.com/author/patchen-noelke) May. 30, 2023 [![](https://blog.hiya.com/hubfs/icon-fb.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.hiya.com/canadas-1-phone-scam-air-duct-cleaning-services) [![](https://blog.hiya.com/hubfs/icon-x.svg)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://blog.hiya.com/canadas-1-phone-scam-air-duct-cleaning-services&text=Canada%E2%80%99s+%231+phone+scam%3A+air+duct+cleaning+services) [![](https://blog.hiya.com/hubfs/icon-linkedin.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.hiya.com/canadas-1-phone-scam-air-duct-cleaning-services) ## At a glance ![](https://blog.hiya.com/hubfs/Air-Duct-Cleaning-Scams-A.jpg) Some phone scams relate to recent news events or target specific demographics. Then there are the scams that have been around for years that never seem to end. That seems to be the case with [Canadian air duct cleaning scams](https://blog.hiya.com/canadian-air-duct-cleaning-scam-works/?hsLang=en). In the first quarter of 2023, air duct cleaning scams were the #1 type of phone scam reported by Hiya users in Canada. Hiya estimates that Canadians received more than 8 million of these calls in Q1 2023.   ![Global-Call-Threat-Report_2023Q1_Final_Canada](https://blog.hiya.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Global-Call-Threat-Report_2023Q1_Final_Canada.jpg?width=1300&height=700&name=Global-Call-Threat-Report_2023Q1_Final_Canada.jpg) *Air duct cleaning scams were the #1 most-reported scam calls in Canada during the first quarter of 2023. * [Download the Q1 2023 Global Call Threat Report to see the top phone scams in countries around the world.](https://www.hiya.com/global-call-threat-report) ##### What users are saying about air duct cleaning scams When scam calls are received, Hiya users in Canada can report the call directly from their mobile phones. Hiya monitors these user reports to help identify scam campaigns in their earliest stages and either blocks the calls or labels them as potential fraud. Here is a sample of what users in Canada have been reporting:    *“Scam. They call all the time from different numbers saying they are a duct cleaning service.”* *“Air duct cleaning service. I have told them multiple times to remove me from their call list because I don't have air ducts.”* *“They have been claiming that they are an air duct company in Toronto. The guy had a heavy Indian accent.”* *“Air duct scam. Relentless calls.”* ##### How the scam works Using the bait and switch tactic, scammers will make cold-calls to customers by [spoofing phone numbers](https://blog.hiya.com/what-is-spoofing-attack?hsLang=en) to make them appear to be local. Once they get the customer to pick up the phone, they offer incredible deals on services that can normally cost hundreds of dollars. They set up an appointment, and once the scammer is at the home for the service, they continue to up-sell the victim with extra costs. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre is aware of this scam and has [a warning](https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/scams-fraudes/service-eng.htm#a1) about these types of “service scams” on its website, saying, “A scammer offers services that include air duct cleaning or furnace/boiler repairs at very low rates. If the company completes the services, it is either of low quality, the warranties are invalid, or the repairs can cause potential risks.” There have also been [reports in the Canadian media](https://globalnews.ca/news/7430564/furnace-scams-canada-better-business-bureau/) about air duct cleaners who falsely take on the name of a well-known, reputable cleaner in order to book appointments. “The longevity of air duct cleaning scams in Canada tells us that the scammers must be experiencing some success,” said Jonathan Nelson, Hiya’s Director of Product Management. “That’s despite what we see in our data: high call volumes, short call durations, and high numbers of negative reports from mobile phone users.”  ##### Avoiding air duct cleaning scams  Keep in mind that there are many high quality and reputable air duct cleaning companies that  provide valuable services to keep your home heating and cooling properly.  The [National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA)](https://nadca.com/homeowners/avoid-scams) is a trade group that supports its members through standards, education, certification, and promotion of high quality and ethical services. It, too, is aware of cleaners who take advantage of customers. “Homeowners are told they have mold and other toxic substances in their HVAC systems – claims which are most likely false and used merely to extort money,” says the NADCA website.  The NADCA says that unscrupulous cleaners will often claim to be members of NADCA when in reality they are not. It suggests looking for a cleaner on the NADCA's [Find a Professional Directory](https://nadca.com/find-a-professional?field_company_address_country_code=CA&field_employee_certification_target_id=All&field_company_job_type_target_id=All&field_company_services_target_id=All&items_per_page=25), where users can search for nearby companies or look up a specific company.     ##### Global Call Threat Report reveals top phone scams worldwide Wondering what the top phone scams are in other countries? Download Hiya’s [Q1 2023 Global Call Threat Report](https://www.hiya.com/global-call-threat-report). The report not only reveals the most common scam tactics in several countries, but it also compares spam and fraud call volumes in 38 countries around the globe.  You can also read our recent blog posts examining country-specific scams, such as the [sweepstakes scam](https://blog.hiya.com/sweepstakes-phone-scams-widespread-in-germany?hsLang=en) in Germany, the [Currys PC World scam](https://blog.hiya.com/elaborate-mobile-phone-contract-scam-targets-uk-residents?hsLang=en) in the UK, and [cryptocurrency scams](https://blog.hiya.com/billions-lost-to-cryptocurrency-phone-scams-worldwide?hsLang=en) that are common in many countries. [![Twitter-Image #1@2x-1](https://blog.hiya.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Twitter-Image%20%231@2x-1.jpg?width=1600&height=900&name=Twitter-Image%20%231@2x-1.jpg)](https://www.hiya.com/global-call-threat-report)   [![banner-hiya-reg](https://blog.hiya.com/hubfs/banner-hiya-reg.jpg)](https://www.hiya.com/products/connect/number-registration) ### Latest Articles ⚡️ - Hiya awarded 16 G2 Summer 2026 badges for branded caller ID Lena Prickett Jul. 9, 2026 - How Canada is leading the fight to stop bank scams Stephanie Boulanger Jun. 26, 2026 - How to check phone numbers for spam labels Michelle Wallace Jun. 9, 2026 ## Related articles ![](https://blog.hiya.com/hubfs/rogers-toronto-event-blog-hero.webp) ## [How Canada is leading the fight to stop bank scams](https://blog.hiya.com/how-canada-is-leading-the-fight-to-stop-bank-scams?hsLang=en) Stephanie Boulanger Jun. 26, 2026 ![](https://blog.hiya.com/hubfs/Blog_How-to-check-phone-numbers-for-spam-labels_B.webp) ## [How to check phone numbers for spam labels](https://blog.hiya.com/how-to-check-phone-numbers-for-spam-labels?hsLang=en) Michelle Wallace Jun. 9, 2026 ![](https://blog.hiya.com/hubfs/Hiya%20x%20DNA-blog@2x.webp) ## [Hiya and DNA Finland launch network-level call protection](https://blog.hiya.com/hiya-and-dna-finland-launch-network-level-call-protection?hsLang=en) Stephanie Boulanger Jun. 2, 2026 [![](https://blog.hiya.com/hubfs/hiya-new-purple.svg)](https://www.hiya.com/) [![](https://blog.hiya.com/hubfs/linkedin-1.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/hiyainc) [![](https://blog.hiya.com/hubfs/facebook-1.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/hiyainc/) ###### Products - Connect - [Number Registration](https://www.hiya.com/products/connect/number-registration) - [Branded Call](https://www.hiya.com/products/connect/branded-call) - [View Plans](https://www.hiya.com/products/connect/pricing) - Protect - [Spam Analytics](https://www.hiya.com/products/protect/spam-analytics) - [AI Voice Detection](https://www.hiya.com/products/protect/ai-voice-detection) - Apps - [Hiya Spam Blocker](https://www.hiya.com/products/apps/hiya-spam-blocker) - [Hiya AI Phone](https://www.hiya.com/products/apps/hiya-ai-phone) ###### Solutions - Company size - [Enterprise](https://www.hiya.com/solutions/enterprise) - [Call Centers](https://www.hiya.com/solutions/call-center) - [Small and Medium](https://www.hiya.com/solutions/businesses) - Service providers - [Operators](https://www.hiya.com/solutions/operators) - [OEMs and technology](https://www.hiya.com/solutions/technology-partners) ###### Considering Hiya? - [Why Hiya](https://www.hiya.com/why-hiya) - [How it Works](https://www.hiya.com/how-it-works) - [Customer Stories](https://www.hiya.com/case-studies) - [Voice Intelligence Platform](https://www.hiya.com/why-hiya/voice-intelligence-platform) - [Trust Center](https://www.hiya.com/why-hiya/trust-center) - [Modern Slavery](https://www.hiya.com/company/modern-slavery) - [About Hiya](https://www.hiya.com/company/about) - [Careers: We're hiring!](https://www.hiya.com/company/careers) - [Contact us](https://www.hiya.com/contact-us) ###### Resources - [Resource Center](https://www.hiya.com/resources) - [Partner Program](https://partners.hiya.com/) - [Get Support](https://hiya.com/support) - [Developer Docs](https://developer.hiya.com/) - [Hiya Blog](https://hiya.com/blog) - [Events](https://www.hiya.com/events) - [Press Kit](https://www.hiya.com/newsroom#press-kit) ![ANAB](https://blog.hiya.com/hubfs/logo-anab.svg) ![ISO 27001](https://blog.hiya.com/hubfs/logo-iso27017.png) ![AICPA](https://blog.hiya.com/hubfs/logo-aicpa.svg) ![IAF](https://blog.hiya.com/hubfs/logo-iaf.svg) [Privacy Policy](https://www.hiya.com/legal/privacy) [Terms of Service](https://www.hiya.com/legal/terms-of-service) [App Data Privacy Policy](https://www.hiya.com/legal/app-data-protection-and-privacy-policy) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Patchen Noelke", "url" : "https://blog.hiya.com/author/patchen-noelke" }, "dateModified" : "2025-10-08T15:16:48.634Z", "datePublished" : "2023-05-30T17:27:24.000Z", "headline" : "Canada’s Top Phone Scam: Air Ducts | Hiya", "image" : [ "https://blog.hiya.com/hubfs/Air-Duct-Cleaning-Scams-A.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.hiya.com/canadas-1-phone-scam-air-duct-cleaning-services", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.hiya.com/hubfs/hiya-logo-3.svg" }, "name" : "Hiya Inc." } } ```