A knock on the door during the summer months may not be a friendly visitor. Summertime is when door-to-door salesmen make their rounds and, very often, what they're peddling is a scam to trick people into switching from their reputable alarm company.
The BBB and the FTC both warn people about purchasing alarm systems from unsolicited salesmen. Both see complaints rolling in every summer from people, especially the elderly, who have been duped into buying an alarm system from an unscrupulous salesperson or switching to an unlicensed alarm company they cannot, now, reach or get out from under.
These fly-by-night companies are not locally owned or operated, and will use deceptive tactics to try and get you to switch to them. Some tactics our own customers experienced with these door-to-door salesmen are:
- State that they work for Alarm Center Security yet show up with no appointment (we NEVER solicit or go door-to-door).
- Claim they are there to "upgrade" your existing system.
- Claim to be offering a certain number of "free" systems in your neighborhood.
- Misrepresent that Alarm Center Security is "going out of business".
The FTC also notes these classic signs of a security system sales scam:
- They may make a time-limited offer and claim you need to act now.
- They may pressure their way into your home and then refuse to leave.
- They may outright use scare tactics, such as claiming there has been a rash of burglaries in your neighborhood.
It is important to remember that those selling security door-to-door are often not licensed to sell alarm systems in the state of Louisiana. This means that the salesman you are letting into your home, and the installers who will come in after you agree to buy what he's selling, have not undergone criminal background checks.
You should always exercise caution when letting someone in the door. Ensure you are always dealing with a reputable alarm professional by taking the following steps:
- Don't answer the door if you don't know who is knocking.
- Ask for an ID badge, business card or literature with their company name.
- Ask for their State Alarm License Number. All Alarm Center Security representatives have required state licenses.
You should also do your research. If you are considering going with the company, check online reviews and, especially, the BBB, the FTC and your state Attorney General. Some of these companies employing door-to-door salesmen have been run out of multiple states, including Louisiana, for unscrupulous practices and have returned under a new company name. Be an informed consumer and know who you are dealing with.
Be wary of anyone knocking on your door and be sure to alert your family and friends to also be on guard this summer. Remember to keep the tips outlined here in mind and be sure that anyone you let into your home is coming from a licensed, reputable company.
If you believe that you have been a victim of these door-to-door scam sales or are aware of them going on in your neighborhood, please contact us immediately at (225) 292-5276. You can also email us at office@alarm.net.
As this is still going on and seems to be more prevalent lately, we are posting this reminder:
We urge our customers, and all Baton Rouge residents, to be aware that unlicensed security system salesmen are going door-to-door in & around the Baton Rouge area scamming residents into "switching" to them. These salesmen, and the companies they work for, are not licensed or authorized by the Louisiana State Fire Marshal and have not passed criminal background checks. They often install shoddy or even non-functioning systems in people's homes and often move out of state after the summer months where they solicit door-to-door selling "security systems".
Please read our informative blog post about these scams to better protect you, your home, and your loved ones. If you have any questions or concerns about this or have had them knock on your door, please don't hesitate to contact us at (225) 292-5276.
To learn more about these types of solicitors and scammers, please read last month's blog post, Security Sales Scams - Who's Knocking?
It's time to start being on the lookout for seasonal salesmen, in particular those going door-to-door attempting to sell alarm systems for your home.
These salesmen often utilize dishonest or shady methods, and, most importantly, are unauthorized to sell security systems. In fact, many of these seasonal companies are unlicensed or are temporarily employing unlicensed alarm salesmen and installers.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) calls these "Security System Scams" and warns:
"During the spring and summer months, home security or alarm companies hire traveling sales agents to go door-to-door, making unsolicited "cold calls" on homeowners. In some cases, the salespeople use high-pressure or deceptive sales tactics to get potential customers to buy expensive, and sometimes substandard, systems or equipment they don't need."
In Louisiana, alarm companies and their employees are licensed and regulated through the Office of State Fire Marshal's Licensing Section. If someone knocks on your door wanting to sell you an alarm system, always ask to see their credentials. If they do not have a valid license issued through the Louisiana State Fire Marshal's Office (SFM), they are not licensed or authorized to sell alarm systems. This means they haven't been required to pass a criminal background check.
Unfortunately, unsuspecting Louisiana residents are hit with these scams every year. Already this year, residents in Covington and Tallulah have dealt with these door-to-door salesmen. In light of this, Louisiana State Fire Marshal, Butch Browning, recently sent out a warning through local news outlets concerning these scams. As Fire Marshal Browning says:
"An extremely important part of the licensing process includes criminal background checks on those who sell and install these systems as well as requiring these individuals to have the proper training to ensure competency … It's all about protecting the lives and property of our citizens and ensuring that convicted felons are not in homes and businesses. Everyone we license will have a photo identification card issued by my office. Just ask to see it to ensure they are licensed."
Always remember that the Fire Marshal's office licenses all alarm companies and their employees in Louisiana. If a person is not licensed and cannot show you proof of a license from the SFM, do not do business with them.
Alarm Center wants to keep our customers and neighbors safe by telling them what to look out for when a security salesman knocks on their door. These are actual tactics that our customers have observed and reported to us as being employed by these so-called "sales representatives":
- They will often say that they work for a security system manufacturer.
- They may state that they work for Alarm Center Security and knock on your door with no appointment.
- They may say they are there to "upgrade" your existing system.
- They may say they are only offering a certain number of "free" systems in your neighborhood.
- They may misrepresent that ACS is "going out of business".
You should always exercise caution when entrusting your family's security. ACS reminds not only our customers, but everyone, to ensure they are always dealing with a reputable alarm professional by taking the following steps:
- Ask for an ID badge, business card or literature with their company name.
- Ask for their State Alarm License Number. All ACS Security representatives have required state licenses.
Please remember, that Alarm Center Security will NEVER solicit or go door-to-door!
If you believe you have been a victim of these door-to-door scam sales, or are aware of them going on in your neighborhood, please contact us immediately at (225) 292-5276, or, if you are outside the Baton Rouge area, 1-800-972-5276. You can also email us at info@alarm.net today.
[Call Alarm Center Security today for a FREE quote on a security system for your home or business - 1-800-97-ALARM - or visit our website to see if you qualify for a $0 down installation - alarm.net]
