JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – July 1, 2026–Today, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway is cautioning consumers to be on guard against scammers exploiting residents enduring the summer heat. With temperatures climbing into the upper 90 degrees, air conditioners are more prone to malfunction, leading to an increased demand for home repairs. Scammers often use heat advisories to take advantage of desperate consumers, by pushing unnecessary services.
“As excessive heat grips our state, we know families need cooling restored fast, but scammers can exploit emergencies to overcharge and cut corners,” said Attorney General Hanaway. “Consumers should keep an eye out for inflated prices and deceptive tactics. My office will go after anyone who takes advantage of Missourians.”
The Attorney General’s Office details common scare tactics to help consumers avoid summer HVAC scams:
- Replacing functional parts: Claiming that HVAC components need replacement when they function properly, often quoting inflated prices to pressure customers into purchasing a new system instead.
- Overselling refrigerant: Convincing consumers to buy more refrigerant than necessary, sometimes repeating the scam during later service calls.
- Recharge scam: Telling consumers that a “recharge” will fix their A/C – even though air conditioners do not require routine recharging.
- Beginning work prematurely: Starting repairs before the consumer understands or agrees to the terms of the contract. In some cases, one technician may distract the homeowner while another disassembles the unit.
- Unrealistically low prices: Offering extremely low repair costs or “freebies,” which may indicate corner-cutting that leads to additional problems and costs later.
- False Claims: A common scheme involves ads promoting low-cost duct cleaning services. Once in the home, scammers claim the air ducts are contaminated or contain mold, only to take consumers’ money while providing little, if any, actual service.
Attorney General Hanaway encourages Missourians to seek second opinions and request thorough explanations for all services. Those who believe they are victims of an HVAC scam can contact the Attorney General’s Office’s Consumer Hotline at 800-392-8222 or online at ago.mo.gov.