Fake companies are coldly exploiting their victims’ emergency situation with new tricks. Even real company profiles have been faked. Reputable companies are fighting back.
If water suddenly leaks into your own four walls due to a blocked sewer or blocked drains, you need to act quickly. Many people hastily call the first number that the internet spits out.
But be careful: just like with locksmith services, these are sometimes extremely dubious companies that only want to take advantage of an emergency and rip you off.
But even if you call the number of a company you trust, you are not immune to unknowingly becoming a victim of scammers. Why? The methods of the ‘channel mafia’ are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
Their latest trick: they change the number of the registered companies stored in their Google profiles (usually starting with 0800) and pretend to be them when they call. After all, they drive to customers in unmarked vehicles, but do extremely unprofessional work there.
But they charge exorbitant amounts for this. If you question the bill, the fake craftsmen try to intimidate you aggressively. “The victims usually pay what is asked to get these gentlemen out of the house,” says Andreas Herrman, whose business in Matzen in the Gänserndorf district is also affected by these machinations. Like many of his colleagues, he has already intervened with the police and the Chamber of Commerce, but so far without success.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
