Sheriff's Office Warns Against Door-to-Door Sales Fraud

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Tuesday, June 16, 2009

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office warns residents to be wary of door-to-door salespeople and offered tips for detecting fraud, especially when it comes to sales of home security systems.

People should be on the lookout for salespeople who do the following:

- Use tricks to get into your home – they may imply they are from your alarm company and need to test or upgrade your alarm system; however, reputable alarm companies generally do not send technicians to your home unannounced.

- Say they want to upgrade your old, outdated security system.

- Say that you need to take advantage of the offer today, when a reputable alarm company will give you the time you need to carefully consider your purchase.

- Say that it is not necessary to contact your current alarm company prior to having another alarm company add to, change or do any kind of work on your security system.

Virginia strictly regulates the private security industry. Every company selling alarm products or services is required to be licensed by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (VADCJS). Furthermore, the license number issued is required to be prominently displayed on all materials and advertisements where the company name is shown.

Additionally, people working for a licensed private security company must also have a pictured registration card. Loudoun County also requires a solicitation license and a pictured registration card issued by the Sheriff’s Office on them when engaging in door-to-door sales.

The Sheriff's Office recommends asking to see proper documentation from solicitors, especially from all who enter your home. Ask for their registration number when checking identifications. Should you have any questions or concerns and wish to validate information, please call 703-737-8344.

Also protect yourself against double-billing before signing a contract. Before a company does any work, check with your current alarm service provider and call the Loudoun County Sheriff's False Alarm Reduction Unit for assistance.

Comments:

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Even with so-called ID, it can be a scam. We had a phony Verizon guy try to get into our office, offical badges and all. I called Verizon and gave them the ID number on his badge and they said the dude was a scammer, there was no such employee, and to run him out of the building. If people aren't sure, make some phone calls and see if they are legit, and do NOT call the numbers on the literature they give you as those numbers connect you to THEIR operators!

Posted by GenuineRisk (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 2:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

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