Cool Air, Hot Scam

Published · Business Growth Guides

Short answer: Watch for five warning signs of an AC service scam: a service call you didn't ask for, a claim that the "gas is low" without any leak check, a very cheap service that suddenly turns expensive, requests for payment, an OTP or an app before any work is done, and a visitor with no ID, written estimate or business address. Book only genuine local technicians you can verify, stay with them while they work, and pay after the job. If you've lost money, call the cyber crime helpline 1930 or report at cybercrime.gov.in straight away.

It's a sweltering afternoon and your AC is blowing air that feels more like a sigh than a breeze. You book a quick service. The visitor arrives, works for a few minutes and shakes his head: "Gas is very low. Refill will be ₹3,500." The service itself was only ₹650. You're hot, tired and just want cool air, so you agree.

Most AC technicians in India are honest, skilled people working hard through the hottest months. But a few fake "technicians" have learned exactly how to use that heat against you. This friendly guide shows you the warning signs, what to do before, during and after a service, and how to find genuine technicians near you.

Key Takeaways

  • Most AC technicians are genuine, but fake service visits and calls are a real risk.
  • In a working AC, the gas isn't used up. Low gas usually means a leak.
  • Never share an OTP, install an app or make a "banking" transaction for a service.
  • Stay with the technician, get prices in writing and pay after the job.
  • If you're cheated, report it at once on 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in.

Two Real Cases From 2025–26

The gas that disappeared

In December 2025, two men posing as AC technicians were caught in Margao, Goa, letting gas out of an AC unit during a service visit. According to the report, they charged the normal servicing fee of ₹650, then made their money by draining the gas and charging ₹3,500 to refill it. They reportedly admitted to cheating more than a dozen people before being handed over to the police (The Goan, December 2025).

The call that emptied three bank accounts

In Chandigarh, a senior citizen couple received a call from someone claiming to work for a well-known home-services platform, offering AC servicing. Saying it was a "service-related banking procedure", the caller persuaded them to carry out a few online transactions. The couple lost over ₹2.2 lakh across their bank accounts (Outlook Money, July 2026).

First, a Quick AC Fact

Here's the fact that protects you most: in a working AC, the refrigerant gas is not used up like petrol in a scooter. It flows round and round in a sealed system. If the gas really is low, there's almost always a leak somewhere, and a good technician will look for it and fix it. A refill with no leak check, especially during a routine service, is a reason to ask questions.

The 5 Warning Signs

1. A call you didn't ask for

Be wary of anyone who calls you first, offering an AC service you didn't book and claiming to be from a brand or a big platform. Genuine companies don't usually phone out of the blue with special service offers.

2. "Gas is low" without a leak check

If someone announces low gas within minutes, without checking pressure or looking for a leak, ask them to show you how they know. Better still, ask them to find and fix the leak first.

3. A very cheap service that suddenly becomes expensive

A suspiciously low service price can be a hook. Once the technician is inside, the "problems" pile up: gas, a capacitor, a "damaged" part. Ask for each charge before any work begins.

4. Payment, OTP or app requests before the work

No genuine AC service needs your OTP, a screen-sharing app or a "banking procedure". These are signs of fraud. Hang up, and never share codes or install apps at a caller's request.

5. No ID, no written estimate, no address

A genuine technician or service centre can show who they are, where they work and what they charge. If the answers are vague, it's fine to say no.

Before You Book: A 2-Minute Check

Choose a technician or service centre in your own locality with a real address, real photos of their work, clear service prices and recent reviews. For brand repairs, use only the phone number on the brand's official website, warranty card or app, not a number from a random search result. The full checklist is in Real Shop or Fake Number?

While the Technician Is There

Stay in the room

Watch the work politely. Genuine technicians don't mind, and it discourages any tricks.

Ask to see the gauge reading

If gas is mentioned, ask to see the pressure reading on the gauge and an explanation of what it means. A genuine technician will happily show you.

Get the price in writing

Ask for a written or WhatsApp estimate before any extra work, listing parts and labour separately.

Keep the old parts

If a part is replaced, ask to keep the old one. It's your proof that a replacement was really needed.

After the Service

Check the cooling

Run the AC for a while before the technician leaves and make sure it's cooling properly.

Pay after the job, with a receipt

Pay once the work is done and you're satisfied, and ask for a bill or a receipt on WhatsApp.

Leave an honest review

A good technician deserves praise, and a bad experience deserves a calm, factual review. Both help your neighbours choose well.

If You've Been Cheated

  • Money lost online: call the cyber crime helpline 1930 or report at cybercrime.gov.in as quickly as possible.
  • Tell your bank immediately so it can act on your account.
  • A fake visit at home: contact your local police station.
  • Suspicious calls or messages: report them through Sanchar Saathi Chakshu.

The Same Signs Apply to Other Appliances

Washing machines, fridges, RO water purifiers and geysers all attract the same tricks: surprise calls, "urgent" part replacements and advance payment demands. Use the same five warning signs and the same before, during and after checks for every appliance in your home.

For Genuine AC Technicians: Show You're the Real Deal

Scams hurt honest technicians too, because worried customers start doubting everyone. Make your genuineness easy to see:

  • A listing in your exact locality with a real address or landmark.
  • A verified status, so customers know your details have been checked.
  • Clear prices for common jobs: service, gas top-up after leak repair, installation.
  • Real photos of your work, your van and your team.
  • Recent reviews that you reply to.
  • An ID card and a WhatsApp estimate for every job.

Try the 9 pm test to see how easily a customer near you can find and trust your business, and build your own name with From ID Number to Household Name.

How SearchKoro Helps You Find Genuine Technicians Nearby

SearchKoro is an Indian local business discovery platform organised by city, locality and category, so you can find AC and appliance technicians close to home. Business content is checked before it appears, and businesses that complete verification show a verified status. You can see photos, services, prices and timings, read genuine reviews, and message the technician directly on WhatsApp before you book. Every deal happens directly between you and the business, and SearchKoro does not sell your number to telemarketers. You can search for local businesses near you. If you're a technician, you can set up your SearchKoro page and try it free for 7 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if an AC technician is genuine?

Check for a real local address, a verified status, real photos of their work, clear prices and recent reviews. A genuine technician can show ID and will give you an estimate before starting extra work.

Does an AC need a gas refill every year?

No. In a working AC, the gas circulates in a sealed system and isn't used up. If it's low, there's usually a leak that should be found and repaired.

Is it safe to pay an AC technician in advance?

It's safer to pay after the job is done and you're satisfied. Be very careful with anyone who demands advance payment, an OTP or a "banking" transaction for a service.

What should I do if I'm cheated by a fake AC service?

If you lost money online, call 1930 or report at cybercrime.gov.in immediately and inform your bank. For a fake visit at home, contact your local police.

How can I find a genuine AC repair service near me?

Look for technicians in your own locality with a verified status, a real address, prices and genuine reviews, and message them first to ask questions before you book.

Stay Cool, Stay Careful

A cool home on a hot day is one of life's simple joys, and the vast majority of technicians want to give you exactly that. Keep these five warning signs in mind, stay with the work, pay after the job and share this guide with your family, especially older relatives. Then sit back, relax and enjoy the breeze.