Danger! How to protect yourself from dubious craftsman emergency services

Danger! How to protect yourself from dubious craftsman emergency services

The need for craftsman emergency services is undeniable in urgent situations such as clogged pipes or unusual heating. However, the Hessen Consumer Center warns of dubious providers who do not properly use these emergencies and do not require overpriced prices or do not properly provide services. Consumers should protect themselves from such tricks and carefully research before they use an emergency service. This describes the bnn.de detailed.

An important aspect that the Hessen consumer center emphasizes is the importance of the preliminary research. Before an emergency, consumers should collect the contact details of local craft businesses in order to quickly find help in an emergency. Industry directories, online portals and recommendations from friends can be valuable sources. Particular caution is required for search results, since dubious providers can be flushed up by paid ads.

warning signals for dubious providers

An example of fraudulent practices is illustrated by two reviews: Marion A. from Langen reported that a locksmith asked her immediate cash payment without an invoice and then has disappeared. The situation was similar to Annabell T. from Oberursel, who commissioned an emergency service for her heating, who did not solve the problem but still asked for money. These incidents show how quickly supposed help can become a cost trap, such as consumerzentral-hessen.de warn.

Another warning signal are high advance payments. Olesja Jäger from the Hessen Consumer Center emphasizes that we do not call any fixed prices and often request payment in advance. In order to avoid such rip -offs, consumers should definitely ask for a binding price and record the agreement in writing. Serious services offer non -binding offers and provide information on starting costs and hourly rates.

practical tips for avoiding fraud

The consumer advice center advises the following procedure to protect itself:

• Create an emergency plan before a possible emergency and have the contact details ready for trustworthy companies.
• In the case of payment, only carry out cash payments after prior arrangement and insist on receiving an invoice.
• Serious companies are obliged to provide transparent information about the costs before the service is provided.
• The documentation of work, invoices and possibly discussed price agreements should take place in order to be secured in the event of a dispute.
• immediately inform the police if you suspect fraud and file a complaint.

The situation is particularly annoying when emergencies occur on weekends. An example from Lower Saxony illustrated the problems: a few commissioned a pipe cleaning service that asked for an exorbitant 1,370 euros after only dismantling parts of the toilet. Such incidents show how important it is to find reputable providers before tapping into a costly trap. The Lower Saxony Consumer Center advises to find out about the services in advance and to contact local craftsmen in order to be able to act quickly and safely in an emergency, as in Consumerzentral-niedersachsen.de described.