I have been scammed. I am writing in the hope that this can be stopped. We got a flyer offering to clean the ducts in the A/C system for $49.95 and made an appointment.

When two technicians came, they took off the duct covers, brought in equipment and showed us a card with colored dots. They said the dots showed we had mold in the AC dangerous to health.

We had to get rid of the mold or they would report us to the health department, who would “encapsulate” the house so we could not live in it. The cost to rid us of the mold was almost $3,000.

I wanted to call a friend to talk it over. A technician did not like this. He talked fast and loudly. I went outside. He followed and kept on yelling. My friend said tell the men to leave. But the duct covers were off. The other technician was working.

I went into the bathroom to get away from the bullying. The salesman continued talking to my husband. He lowered the price.

My husband signed the contract and wrote a check for two thirds of what he asked. The salesman took the check to cash at the bank.

He returned and told us to leave. They would spray a gas to kill the mold. We could come back in an hour.

When we returned, I read the fine print. It said, in part: ”I agree that the above services have been satisfactorily completed. ... Please examine this contract and the services performed before the technician leaves your home and if you find everything satisfactory sign below. All sales final. No Refunds. Customer’s signature acknowledges service approved and accepted.”

Pretty stupid of us to be cheated, right? But more people have been ripped off. The victims don’t talk and the crooks continue the fraud.

Ardith Heemskerk

Bradenton