Mar

2

Warning on Door-to-Door Salespeople–Lack of Permits, Overpriced Goods, and Casing

Filed Under Uncategorized 

SANTA BARBARA, CA – 3/1/2007 – The Santa Barbara Police Department is issuing a warning on door-to-door sales people.  While some are legitimate, the chances are pretty good that the salesperson knocking at your door is trying to scam you with overpriced merchandize or false claims that they are connected to charity.  Occasionally, a more serious problem is the chance that the salesperson is ‘casing’ out the neighborhood looking for easy targets of theft.  SBPD has recently responded to several complaints about aggressive salespeople.  Citations were issued to men from Idaho and Connecticut.  By City Ordinance, all door-to-door salespeople conducting business in Santa Barbara are required to have a business permit in their possession.
SBPD suggests the following tips when a salesperson knocks at your door:

–Do not let strangers into your home. 
–Inspect credentials and identification–Legitimate salespeople will gladly show these to   you.
–Be suspicious of claims that the proceeds benefit a charity–Be aware that by law, only   pennies on the dollar are required to go toward the actual charity.  The majority can   legally cover ‘Administrative Overhead.’
–Be aware of ‘sound-alike’ charities that mimic legitimate ones.
–Be highly suspicious of any charity that claims to benefit police or fire departments.
–Closely examine the sales contract.  Be aware of what you are being asked to buy.
–Do not deal in cash.  It is impossible to trace.
–If you want to make a purchase, consider getting a phone number and calling back.

Comments

Leave a Reply