Special Reports

LOS ANGELES (CBS) ― As swine flu spreads across the country, many people are trying to take advantage of the scare.

They claim to help with swine flu, cleaning the air or cleaning your house. But are they just cleaning up on the swine flu fears in the community?

David Goldstein: "You advertise that you can clean places with swine flu. Aren't you just preying on people's fears?"

We searched swine flu on Craig's List and found more than a dozen companies in L.A. advertising some kind of service; many claiming to clean contamination for a hefty fee. But is it necessary? In most cases the experts say no.

"I don't think you have anything to worry about. After two days the virus is not going to survive," Dr. Russ Kino of St. John's Medical Center said.

We set up hidden cameras in this vacant house in La Habra then called in a few of those companies advertising to protect you against swine flu. Our undercover producer told them she was concerned because workers had been in the home two days earlier.

Corey Lyon from Paramount Disaster Recovery said we should be worried, because swine flu started in Mexico.

Corey Lyon: "It seems to be coming from the South and that is where most of the workers are coming from."

He recommended a big clean up.

Undercover Producer: "So you come in here with moon suits?"

Corey Lyon: "Respirators, moon suits, totally covered. Disinfect the whole place."

Undercover Producer: "And the fee?"

Corey Lyon: "I think your ballpark is around $2,500."

Undercover Producer: "Twenty-five hundred dollars, OK."

What he didn't say is that Paramount was hit with a $275,000 penalty last year by the California Department of Insurance for illegally adjusting insurance claims in a Lake Tahoe fire. And the company just got its state contractors license back last month. It was suspended in February for failure to pay fines associated with violations of state law.

David Goldstein: "Aren't you just preying on people's fears with swine flu?"

Corey Lyon: "No."

Lyon didn't want to talk about swine flu.

Corey Lyon: "I don't want to talk with you."

David Goldstein: "You're telling her for peace of mind she should have the whole place hosed down? Moon suits?"

Corey Lyon: "She called me."

David Goldstein: "But you advertise you can clean places with swine flu. Aren't you just preying on people's fears?"

He didn't have anything else to say.

Next we called in Dr. AirCare. Their ad said they could prevent swine flu.

David, Dr. AirCare: "As far as the swine flu, this is going around and people are nervous about it... I drive between homes every day and I'm scared. I really am."

David said he was scared, but also admitted he didn't know much about it.

David, Dr. AirCare: "I'll be honest with you; I'm an expert on air quality, but not an expert on swine."

But he said it wouldn't hurt to clean the air ducts.

David, Dr. AirCare: "A lot of stuff people get sick from is indoors -- flu, asthma, allergies. A lot of stuff."

Outside he proved he was no expert.

David Goldstein: "How do you prevent swine flu?"

David, Dr. AirCare: "I don't know."

David Goldstein: "The ad says prevent swine flu?"

David, Dr. AirCare: "I'm just a technician. I'm not responsible for the ad."

He and his boss told me the ad was a mistake.

David, Dr. AirCare: "That was a misunderstanding and it was removed."

David Goldstein: "It was removed?"

David, Dr. AirCare: "Yes."

But we checked. The headline was replaced, but now in the small print they're offering a swine flu $49 special.

And finally these guys showed up from a company called Simply Going Green. Their ad said the swine flu scare should prompt you to clean up.

Simply Going Green Representative: "I suggest you sanitize everything and get it clean."

But they too admitted that they knew very little.

David Goldstein: "Do you think it's right to put swine flu on an ad when you don't know anything about swine flu?"

But the experts say swine flu germs only last up to eight hours. However, that doesn't seem to stop people from trying to make a buck.

David Goldstein: "Swine flu only lasts eight hours. Yet you're charging thousands of dollars to clean her house."

...Cashing in on swine flu fears.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)