We got a call from this number today at 10:53 am. The caller ID was MARSHFIELD MA, and it was blocked by our call blocker. This is apparently a new number for these lowlife coprolites, but due to numerous other such calls, all with this caller ID are blocked. A call blocker is well worth the cost to avoid these nuisances.
Caller ID says "Marshfield MA". I pick up, but say nothing. A recoording runs. It's the usual spiel about duct cleaning. For $40 they will clean all my air ducts, my dryer vent, and inspect my furnace. I am given two options: be removed from their list or schedule an appointment. I select the latter to reach a human. The operator has an American accent. I don't recall the name of the company, but it was not "Norfolk Air Duct" as "Duk" reported (I suspect their name changes from minute to minute). The usual price is $250, but today it's only $40 (such a reduction makes absolutely no sense). I tell them that I keep asking them to stop calling. She says she will drop me from the list and quickly hangs up on me. I am on the federal do-not-call list, so these cold calls are illegal.
A few years ago our furnace died resulting in our ducts being filled with soot. I looked up reputable duct cleaners with the popular home maintenance review site A****'s List. If I recall correctly it took 3 guys and about 2 hours to do it properly (they needed to access everything in the basement and at each vent. I think it cost about $250 (considering they only recommend doing this every 5 years or so, the per year cost is cheap). I can't imagine that there is any way they can do a half way decent job and make a profit for $40. These professionals did not inspect my furnace - to do so requires an entirely different set of skills and certifications.
The dryer vent can be accessed by loosening a single screw (I was capable of doing this by the 3rd grade).
I believe a lot of these companies come in and make a big show, but really very little cleaning is done (I think a Canadian TV channel investigated air duct cleaning - the videos are on youtube). Since you can't see in the ducts, you have no idea how well they have done their job (hint: very poorly). As to the phone calls, the exact same phrasing has been around for at least 4 years, and all around the country. I suspect that one company (possibly overseas) does the calling. When someone says "yes", they pass this along to a local (and likely sleazy) duct guy. Don't bite!
I quickly call back (using *67 to block my number). I hear, "The number you have dialed is not in service. Please, check the number and try your call again. Thank you." So they can't be called back. This is another sign of a sleazy operation.