When It Sounds Too Good To Be True

When It Sounds Too Good To Be True

The idea of having to clean your home is not something that gets anyone excited is it? It’s something we are all too familiar with and it’s exhausting! What more if you have to do it once or twice a week depending on how big your household is (or how messy :) ). Just thinking about having to dust, sweep or vacuum, mop and tidy on top of work, and all the other things you have to do for the home, will drive anyone to look for alternative solutions. The most obvious and common would be to get help from professional cleaning vendors. Who hasn’t?

So, how does RM35 for two hours of house cleaning or RM300 for a round of office spring cleaning sound to you? Fair or too good to be true? Who wouldn’t be tempted to find out? No one would fault you for that.

Well, these days, even professional cleaning services are an avenue for scammers. So, beware! It’s when you are checking out the offers or accepting the offers by downloading the app for booking the cleaning service that you could actually be downloading a malware instead. This disguised malware is what will allow scammers to steal your personal or banking details, passwords and even OTPs (one-time passwords) for financial transactions. In these few unsuspecting minutes, you could be financially cleaned out or devastatingly scammed.

Don’t take home or office cleaning services lightly just because you think it’s an easy job to do (and it’s not!), or you see it advertised on social media platforms. Just because it appears on a legitimate site does not mean that it is a legitimate offer. Social media platforms are not obligated to check out the legitimacy of every offer that is posted. For your own safety, here’s what you can look out for when you are checking out the “cheap” offer:

  • Social media account profile (eg IG, Facebook) - does it have verifiable details like the SSM company number, how long ago the account was set up and the number of followers?
  • Other online presence - official website with alternative contact avenues like email, phone, link-in, reviews and scam alerts?
  • Physical presence - legitimate address and phone number
  • App download - make sure that it is through the Google Play Store or App Store 
  • Payment method - make sure there are alternative methods of payment that are secure eg credit card or PayPal

As you are aware, scams can come in various forms. Sometimes, scams can be hiding in plain sight, like when you don’t get what you are paying for from your professional cleaning services. There are certain standards that need to be adhered to and if they’re not, you are not getting your money’s worth. Business owners can find out if they have the right professional cleaning vendor as their partner just by evaluating the following:

  • Transparent and contactable – when a company invests in their visibility across all media and is easily contactable, it is trying very hard to be seen and heard. You can put a face to the people there. They are real.  Unlike scammers who try to reveal as little as possible 
  • History and track records – an established company will have a history of success that can give you peace of mind. Especially one who has survived multiple economic crises including the recent Covid-19 pandemic. Their track record of achievements and clientele speaks volume and are a testimony of quality service
  • Professionally trained cleaning crew - all companies must train their crew but to what standard? An acceptable standard would be based on the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc)
  • Performance and expectations - shouldn’t just be aligned to client needs but also audited against the 100-points Service Audit Process to ensure that cleaning services meet the minimum standard of acceptable performance (MSAP) 
  • Agility in adopting key learnings and procedures - if a cleaning company only knows how to clean in one set way, it will never be able to ensure safety in the face of new disease challenges. Evolving and adhering to recommendations by Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia (KKM), National Environment Agency (NEA) of Singapore, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the US is a necessary practice
  • New technology - investing in new technology for the new normal means the company is investing in the health and safety of your business, according to your needs

So while cleaning services may not always be as “cheap” as everyone would like it to be, it certainly won’t cost you your health and safety when you get the right cleaning company for the job. That’s for real.

To find out more on how we give you the best value for your budget without compromising your health or safety, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. Please feel free to contact us at 03-7773 0300 or enquire@maclean.com.my.

References:
  1.
Scammers can read OTP SMS through an app, deputy minister says
  2.
Avoid falling for home-cleaning ad scams in Malaysia
  3.
Woman loses RM12,000 to scammer after downloading home cleaning company app

Beyond Cost Effective Solutions

“Thank you, Maclean team, for the good support and on time completion of the cleaning activities as required at the Phase 2 cafeteria and Phase 2 new wing office floor without any delays which met client satisfaction.”

Manufacturing

“The final cleaning has come to an end today. We appreciate your team's full commitment and cooperation in ensuring the successful completion of the cleaning work at Plot H. Your site person in charge and his team has performed well throughout the cleaning period. Their prompt response and action as well as their workmanship on the end-product satisfied us.”

Construction

“I would like to take this opportunity to first, thank you for the 9 years of services to the hospital. Maclean has offered a top-level cleaning service with the magnificent team of client service right down to the cleaner.

I am particularly writing to appreciate the cleaner, namely BAL BAHADUR, M. SUMON and MASLINDAH for their professionalism and exceptional work ethic. They are punctual, dependable and presented with more than what has been asked of them.”

Hospital

“We are writing to express my sincere appreciation for the exceptional work of the cleaning crew who was responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of our office premises. Over the past few weeks, we have observed the excellent work that Nur Alom has been doing, and we must say that his dedication and professionalism are truly commendable.

I have personally witnessed Nur Alom going the extra miles to ensure that the office is clean and hygienic especially during these challenging times post pandemic. His commitment to maintaining a clean and safe environment has been exceptional, and he has made a significant contribution to keep our workplace safe and healthy for all employees. “

Office

“We would like to express our thanks towards janitor Suriakala for excellent cleaning services rendered during Deep Cleaning activities on 14th and 28th January 2023. As well, we find her job deliverance is excellent and committed on daily routine tasks.

Hereby, we extend our thanks to Bobby, Fahmi for their prompt response of any inquiries and replacement planning during janitor's absence. We are also thankful to be supported by the Maclean team for

  • deep cleaning upholstery office chairs, sofa
  • fabric wall meeting rooms
  • fabric cubicle – employee workstation areas
  • lobby reception, breakout area, workstation area
  • floor scrubbing at carpeted area total approximately 3,617sqft
  • floor scrubbing at pantry vinyl floor area"
Office

“Excellent cleaning services. Prompt response of any inquiries and fast planning during your janitor on leave”

Hypermarket

“Excellent service during the summer break for the school opening preparations - efficient, gracious customer service, the level of detail and accountability you have demonstrated on the housekeeping service.”

Education

Our Supervisors and Crew Are Well Trained

“I received a verbal compliment from client on Crew’s performance & improvement after we had engagement meeting. Well done and keep up the good work!”

Office

“Services provided by the crew on site was good and amazing, especially the head of the crew obviously showing his excellent performance on managing his team that provided high quality cleanliness service throughout the year. They have shown a great team spirit and hope this can continue and maintained in future. I would also take this opportunity to congratulate Miss Nadia who trained such a good team and of course your good services to our company as well.”

Retail

“Thank you very much for the team you lead! Professional and high efficiency!”

Education

“Convey our outmost appreciations for the excellent service provided to our team in Bayan Lepas. Your team, which is Samy and his supportive team, have been doing great jobs & supported us. Samy has been committed to all the tasks given with fast response from him & the teams.”

Manufacturing

“Formally and sincerely express our gratitude for the amazing honesty your team shown during recently lost and found case. Nurhayati Binti Abdullah had shown exceptional discipline and dedication to her daily work. Her actions directly impacted our image and Maclean directly benefited the team and company on a greater level. Once again, thank you for the leadership shown by Maclean’s management team – Kak Mis on the diligence and integrity adopted for all the team on the site.”

Office

“Layanan yang sangat baik, berdisiplin, komited, sabar, berbudi bahasa dan sentiasa positif.”

3S Centre

“Thank You for the Good Service. I would like to express my deep appreciation for the women who are doing the cleaning at our premise. I am very satisfied with their work! I would like to thank Diana (supervisor) and Sajib who always monitor and ensure someone to cover when the cleaners go on leave. Good teamwork and dependable.”

Education

We Are Well Versed with Various Industry Compliancy Requirements

“Congratulations “Maclean Team” as all cleaners have successfully passed the EHS training that was conducted on site.

We are satisfied with their service”

Manufacturing

“Thanks for your team’s kind support to maintain the cleanliness of our LMM plant during our two important events:

(1) EHS Corporate Audit

(2) EHS Plan Forum Recognition”

Manufacturing

“Thank you very much for giving 100% support and for ensuring we followed and maintained proper social distancing amid the events.”

Manufacturing

“Gratitude for Maclean’s performance and support during our compliance audit held last October. Maclean’s team has made so much effort in order to keep our business running with full compliance. It's a good image that we comply to every legal requirement that was relevant with Maclean’s help. Maimunah has been key player into this Audit weeks.”

Office

“Many thanks to Zura for the last compliance audit which covered compliance in pharmaceuticals.”

Office

“Our management would like to take the opportunity to sincerely thank you for the excellent service provided to our facility especially for the fresh goods department, for maintaining cleanliness as per our standard.”

Hypermarket

“Able to answer questions from Auditor during ISO Audit.”

Office

Understanding Urgency and Providing Personalised Attention

“We would like to extend our greatest appreciation to you and your team for all the hard work going the extra mile ensuring everything is ready for the event. We know there were a quite a bit of last-minute requests, but you guys managed to extend your excellent service and that made a difference definitely. We appreciate your contribution and management also relay their appreciation and gratitude to all the Janitor team. Thank you so much for being good support for this event and hope this good performance can be maintained.”

Manufacturing

“Hope you are doing great. For the past few months Samy Rau has been supervising our Penang location. We are very grateful that he has been showing his interest and helping me to solve a lot of problems. His presence here during the site visit has made us able to voice up regarding most issues directly. Most pending issues have been resolved. We hope that we will make a better team in future.”

Manufacturing

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Samy and the team, especially Ali Raihan, Sajib Sikdar and all Maclean team members for helping our team on the water leaking issue that happened. Their fast respond to our call during midnight and coming to help us to handle the situation. Keep it up and continue to work together and support our Facilities team.”

Manufacturing

“They are remarkable with their attitudes. The way they go above and beyond to ensure that all our events are presented well, their sense of collaboration and attention to detail is greatly valued.”

Education

“I would like to extend our appreciation for the amazing work done by your team on site especially team leader, Maimunah in supporting several occasions of main event. They have been supportive in terms of logistic, pre-event preparation and on top of that making the event running smoothly.

Please pass my appreciation to Maimunah, Sulaiman, Susilawati and Haipah for their support.”

Office

In addition to the above, we are proud and grateful to receive 2 awards from CBRE:

  • Exceptional Service Award 2022 
  • Best Safety and Covid Response Award 2022

So, try us out and experience the Maclean service first-hand. 

To find out more on how we give you the best value for your budget without compromising your health or safety, please connect with us at 03-7773 0300 or enquire@maclean.com.my.

February 2023
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