Window diagnostics are a common type of fraud

Free window diagnostics - scam in Russian

Free window diagnostics is a key phrase in the arsenal of window scammers to attract new victims of their “activities.” It catches gullible citizens like a hook.

Photo: free window diagnostics end for gullible people with the loss of significant money. A favorable environment for the “reproduction” of window scammers has become the low quality of windows offered by the window industry after the crisis, and the approach of the “second wave” of window reglazing. The first modern Euro-windows were installed in the early 90s. Today, more than 20 years have passed since the beginning of the active installation phase of new plastic or wooden windows.

How scammers act

There are scammers who replace rubber bands on windows in different cities of Russia. Most often they manage to deceive older people who trust strangers and also want to improve the comfort of their stay.

The deception scheme with the second free product in the store is discussed in detail in our new publication on the website.

Main stages of the scam

The immediate divorce process is divided into the following stages:

Initially, a call is made to a landline phone, and usually only elderly people use such phones, so the main goal of such fraudulent actions is to deceive pensioners;
further information is provided that a certain company, which allegedly installed windows in the apartment, is interested in the need to maintain the structures;
if it turns out that the windows were installed more than a year ago, then company representatives begin to convince the elderly person of the need for maintenance in order to prevent hardware breakdowns;
the caller offers to use the service of visiting a specialist who will examine the condition of the windows, and such a service is provided completely free of charge;
since pensioners are sure that they will not have to pay any money, they agree to the visit of the master;
a man who comes to the apartment at the appointed time carefully examines the condition of the windows, and he may even lubricate the mechanisms with some kind of building compound;
after that, he convinces the elderly person that his windows have low-quality rubber or foam rubber, and therefore offers the opportunity to replace the seal;
the master claims that if these steps are not followed, then in winter water will get into the sashes, freeze and squeeze out the glass;
the man immediately begins to indicate on paper what actions need to be performed for repairs, what seal should be installed, and also what mechanisms will have to be adjusted;
As a result, it turns out that you will have to pay about 10 thousand rubles for such service, although in any hardware store the seal costs about 25 rubles.

“Free window diagnostics” is a new scam scheme:

The further outcome depends on the actions of the apartment owner. If an elderly person inquires about the need for services from his children or grandchildren, then most often he will refuse the services offered, having received advice from less trusting relatives.

If a pensioner makes an independent decision, then there is a high probability that he will actually pay a significant amount of money for ordinary rubber bands that can be replaced with his own hands.

What to do and how to react if you receive an SMS about blocking your card asking for a PIN code - read the publication on our website.

How to recognize window scammers? Photo: rmnt.mirtesen.ru

What to do in such a situation

You should not initially agree to have a master visit your apartment, even if such a service is offered free of charge. There will be no positive consequences from such service, but at the same time you will have to refuse annoying and expensive services.

Types of free window diagnostics

The first is fraud committed by individuals or companies involved in the repair of plastic windows.

The goal of such scammers is to obtain an inflated amount of money from the client for the services offered, often not required. They offer to replace individual components of the window, for example, seals or fittings, charging for this amounts equivalent to the price of a new window.

Photo: a pensioner from Chelyabinsk gave 10 thousand rubles after diagnosing windows. Often such work is carried out unprofessionally and with low-quality materials. It is not possible to return the money if the customer subsequently wishes. The company disappears from view.

The second is that, under the guise of window service workers or window manufacturers, burglars (burglars) or professional swindlers enter the apartment.

Photo: under the guise of a window service worker there may be a burglar or a professional swindler. The goal of the robbers is to enter the home and, conducting a pseudo-diagnosis of the windows, carefully consider whether there are valuable things on the premises for further theft.

The goal of professional scammers is to convince the client of the need to replace or buy new windows at large discounts. Instead of discounts, the client receives a price significantly higher than the market average.

Fraudsters may present a fictitious agreement for signature or offer to take out a home loan. Having received the money or the documents necessary to obtain a loan, the “pseudo-specialists” disappear without a trace.

Window scammers may present a fake ID with a stamp.

Attackers thoroughly prepare to gain the trust of a potential victim:

Master the “professional” terms and skills of window workers;
They dress in neat overalls with a badge on which a fictitious first and last name is indicated (maybe a photo);
Have a professional tool;
Polite and attentive in communication.

Those who are especially “capable” can carry out some manipulations with the window (turn the fittings with an adjusting key, apply lubricant).

The essence of fraudulent testing of double-glazed windows

“Diagnostics and prevention are free” – the magic words of scammers who are ready to get their next victim. They are often targeted by gullible people. As a result of such a check, an impressive amount goes to the representative of the illegal company.

Fraudsters take advantage of the fact that double-glazed windows installed in the 90s require updating.

The scam with plastic windows was invented by unscrupulous private companies. They seek to make money from fictitious services.

Representatives of large companies are portrayed as thieves and burglars. To get into an apartment and find out if there is valuable property, they are ready to pretend to be anyone. Plus, robbers fill their pockets with money from fictitious checks.

False experts are deceiving citizens, showing that the profile that squeezes out the glass has bent, it will soon fly out, and the fittings are no good, they will jam tomorrow. This will not happen if you order new windows. When you don’t have the required amount, sealants made from magic material will help you get out of the situation.

Having found out that there are no funds for this either, they will offer to issue preventive maintenance for a year with a minimum bail.

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How window scammers contact potential victims

There are several ways to attract clients for pseudodiagnosis.

Photo: window scammers choose their victims by phone Method No. 1 - calling by phone

Using the database of city telephone numbers, subscribers are called with an offer to call and the time of the technician’s arrival is agreed upon.

Method number 2 - doorbell

The person introduces himself as an employee of a service company and calls apartments offering free window diagnostics.

Method number 3 - leaflet or letter in the mailbox

Advertising and informational leaflets with tempting offers of free diagnostics or the purchase of new windows at very low prices are placed in mailboxes.

Often, to attract their victims, scammers hide behind non-existent government programs for pensioners, disabled people and other preferential categories of citizens to repair or replace windows.

How to protect yourself from scammers

To avoid deception and not get into an unpleasant situation, you should listen to professional advice:

The first way to stay safe is not to come into contact with unknown people.
Representatives of serious companies never walk through doorways offering inspections or preventive measures.
The technician who takes the measurements does not know the cost of future windows. The calculation is done by an accountant from the office, and the amount received is announced later. Fraudsters know the price in advance.
Windows are the property of the apartment owners. Housing and communal services employees do not deal with them. If a person says that he came from the housing office to inspect the double-glazed windows, call the police.
Remember that diagnosis and prevention are not necessary.
If the offer was received by phone, ask for the company name and address. There is no answer - this is a reason to be wary.
If you have problems with plastic windows, contact those who installed them, not random people.

Trouble-shooting

Prevention of plastic windows consists of timely identification of faults and their elimination. If the window handle is loose, you need to lift the decorative strip underneath it, turn it from a vertical to a horizontal position and tighten the screws for quality fastening.

A common problem is the sash sagging and the window not closing properly. To fix the problem, tighten the adjusting screw on the bottom hinge of the window. You can find it by removing the protective plastic cap from the loop. It is necessary to inspect the fittings for faults and get rid of them before the cold weather.

Why is this required?

The main function of a double-glazed window is to retain heat and protect the room from external noise. It should also not allow condensation to form. Gradually, plastic and rubber wear out, usually due to changeable weather and sudden changes in seasons.

If you carry out preventative maintenance on plastic windows 2 times a year - in the summer and before cold weather, the service life of the products will be extended. The procedures prepare structures for temperature changes.

Washing and cleaning

Do-it-yourself prevention of plastic windows is not difficult. It is necessary to wash and clean glass and other parts of the structure: profiles, slopes, window sills. To prevent condensation and freezing of the frame, drainage drains on the street are cleaned with a brush.

You can wash the glass, fittings and seals with a warm soapy solution. To remove dirt from the frame, special products for plastic are used. It is necessary to pay attention to the composition. Due to gasoline, acetone, solvents, acids, chlorine-containing and abrasive substances, the profile deteriorates and the seal is corroded.

Checking the window profile

Inspect the profile for unevenness - it should be smooth with the same tone of the surface of the product.

Rough surfaces, dents and bumps indicate poor quality of the starting material or a violation of the technological process. This is also indicated by sloppy butt seams.
Chips, scratches, and loose lamination are signs of careless assembly or poor quality transportation of the window unit.

Compliance of the profile with quality standards reflects the presence of a DIN EN ISO 9001 certificate. Ask the seller to demonstrate the certificate for the product and show an example of a profile cut. According to SanPiN standards for residential premises, the recommended number of cameras in a window unit is at least three.

A low quality profile is not able to reliably protect the room from the cold. If it does not have a metal circuit, then the system will quickly become unusable and require replacement. How to determine the quality of plastic windows in a house and the presence of reinforcement in their profile? Place a magnet on the plastic where there is no flap. By its attraction you will understand that there is metal reinforcement.

When purchasing, check the profile for authenticity. Inspect it, study the accompanying documentation, make sure that the profile system meets the factory requirements for the quality of window assembly:

When making drainage and ventilation holes, the reinforcement chamber is not opened.
The width of the glass unit linings is at least 2 mm greater than the width of the glass unit.
The distance between the edges of the holes on the rebate and the drainage holes to the outside is at least 20 mm.
The distance between the edges of adjacent holes on the rebate (for each section) < 600 mm.
Reinforcement fastening spacing in PVC profile: ≤400 mm (for white profile), ≤250 mm (for colored profile).
The indentation of the fastening screw is 50 mm from the edge of the reinforcement.
The edge of the reinforcement is located at a distance of 10 mm from the border of the workpiece along the rebate of the glass unit.
The size of the slot/drainage holes in the rebate area is at least 5x20 mm.
The gap between the frame and the sash (rebate play) is 12 mm for each section.
The gap along the rebate should be 3-0.5±1 mm.
Ventilation holes in the frame/sash are at least 5x10 mm.
The difference between the front surfaces in welded corner joints is ≤0.3 mm (0.7 mm).
The difference in the lengths of the diagonals of the welded frames does not exceed 2 mm for elements with a maximum side length of up to 1400 mm, 3 mm for elements with a maximum side length of more than 1400.

To ensure the quality and safety of the profile system, ask the seller:

test report for the window systems you have chosen,
fire safety certificate,
environmental certificate confirming the safety of products.

Replacing the seal

Many people trust specialists to prevent plastic windows. The First Window Company carries out all types of work to extend the life of structures. The seal is also replaced if it is cracked or damaged. They change it with the window sash removed. First you need to free the window hinges from the decorative caps. Using pliers, pull the hinge rod down from the top loop. Then the window sash is slightly tilted towards itself and raised.

The sash must be placed on a horizontal surface and the damaged seal must be removed from the groove. The groove must be thoroughly washed and, after drying, lubricated with technical petroleum jelly or silicone grease. The new seal must be cut to the length of the groove, leaving a margin of 20 mm.

The seal must be lubricated with Vaseline (silicone) and inserted into the edge of the groove. Then you need to stretch it along the entire length of the groove and hold the end with pliers. The ends of the seal are cut with a sharp knife so that they overlap each other - vertical and horizontal. The edges of the seal should be degreased with gasoline and secured with silicone sealant. At the end, the sash is put in place: the lower loop is put on the rod, then the upper rod is finished off with a hammer. Then the position of the sash and the pressure are adjusted.