In an act of trademark infringement, an individual associated with a UAE-based member of the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) has fraudulently registered the NADCA trademark in the United Arab Emirates.

Operating under the deceptive moniker "NADCA Systems," the scammer is exploiting the trusted NADCA name and logo to peddle a bogus certification program to unsuspecting air duct cleaning professionals in a region where the commonality of sand drives the need for frequent duct cleaning.

NADCA, a leading global authority on air duct cleaning standards, sounded the alarm on Tuesday, issuing an urgent warning to its members and the broader industry. NADCA CEO Jodi Araujo, CEM, emphasized that the certification scheme offered by nadcasystems.com is entirely illegitimate, "completely worthless" and unrelated to the authentic NADCA certification.

"This program provides no legitimate credentials, and they are outright robbing professionals in our industry by falsely suggesting that this certification is officially recognized by NADCA," Araujo said. "These actions are a flagrant betrayal of trust and a direct assault on the reputation and standards of the air duct cleaning community."

NADCA has long been recognized for its rigorous standards and certification program, which ensures that air duct cleaning companies adhere to best practices for safety, quality, and customer service. The fraudulent UAE operation threatens to dilute this reputation and potentially deceive consumers into hiring uncertified duct cleaners.

NADCA is encouraging its members and the global air duct cleaning community to report any encounters with "NADCA Systems" scam and to promote awareness of this fraud through their professional networks.

"We remind all members that NADCA does not endorse specific people, products, or services. NADCA does not certify or sell equipment. If you see the NADCA logo on products or equipment, you can guarantee it's fraudulent," Araujo said. "To ensure ethical business practices, we strongly encourage you to do business with NADCA Associate Members—organizations who have vowed to adhere to NADCA's Code of Ethics."

In the face of growing global threats to intellectual property and professional standards, NADCA's swift and decisive response serves as a model for trade associations and certification bodies across industries.