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Two N.J. Chimney, Gutter Cleaners Accused Of Ripping Off Customers

TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork) - You probably get coupons in the mail for chimney and gutter cleanings.

Well, two northern New Jersey home improvement companies have been accused of ripping off customers who were looking to get that sale price.

WCBS 880's Levon Putney On The Story

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Customers filed over 50 complaints against Bergen County and Passaic County-based AAA Reliable and Old Reliable Construction.

"They were taking advantage of people, in particular in this case some senior folks on fixed incomes," New Jersey Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa told WCBS 880 reporter Levon Putney on Wednesday.

Chiesa said their ads and coupons offered things like $30 chimney cleanings, but when hired, would go up the chimney and then come down to tell the customer they'd need more expensive work done.

"There's at least one situation where they went and caused more damage than had existed beforehand and told the customer that they needed $20,000 worth of repairs," Chiesa said.

Both companies, which had offices in Fair Lawn, Franklin Lakes, Totowa, and North Haledon, have been shut down while the owner faces charges.

Do you have a consumer complain? Feel free to share it in the comments section below.

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