Beware of home alarm sales scams
August 3, 2010
By Staff
Issaquah police warned residents to be alert for door-to-door salespeople aggressively pushing security alarm systems. The salespeople might be targeting senior citizens.
Police said out-of-state companies brought a sales force into the community in past years. The salespeople might misrepresent themselves as representatives from the homeowner’s alarm company, or use another brand name, such as Honeywell or GE Security.
The solicitors might also claim to be selling a new and better product, or claim to fix a problem with the existing alarm system.
The salespeople might attempt to confuse the homeowner into signing a new contract or into making payments to a different company. Though the team might offer a no-cost installation, high monthly fees might follow.
The problem extends beyond Issaquah. Nationwide, the Better Business Bureau has recorded thousands of consumer fraud complaints about aggressive door-to-door alarm salespeople.
Representatives from legitimate companies do not show up without appointments or the homeowner’s knowledge. Any representative should be able to produce appropriate identification.
If a homeowner doubts the authenticity of the representative, he or she should call the alarm company to confirm the identity.
Remember: Homeowners have a right to ask a person to leave their homes or the premises. If the salespeople continue to push after the homeowner has asked them to leave, call police.
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[...] Issaquah Press story does not name Pinnacle, or any other company. It uses the word “might” 5 times in [...]
An additional bit of information these scammers will obtain is a list of which homes have no alarms or problem alarms. Please be careful what you say and with whom you speak about any alarm status or desire at your home.
“Yesterday’s Issaquah Press story does not name Pinnacle, or any other company. It uses the word “might” 5 times in the first 7 sentences, and is written by “Staff”. It might be useful to consumers. Maybe.”