During the warmer months, many security companies will hire salespeople to go door to door making unsolicited “cold calls” on homeowners. Using high-pressure tactics, these traveling salespeople will try to get homeowners to purchase expensive equipment and/or services they do not need.
The Federal Trade Commission has put together a guide to prevent consumers from becoming a victim of a Security System Scam. These signs include:
- A limited-time offer, featuring free equipment. There are usually high-costs and long-term contracts…Lots of fine print designed to make you pay more.
- Too pushy. They pressure you into inviting them in, they won’t take no for an answer or they won’t leave.
- Scare tactics. They talk about recent burglaries in your area.
- Already have a system. Some target existing customers of other companies trying to get them to upgrade or replace equipment. They trick you into signing up for costly monitoring services.
- Out of business. Some lie or claim your security company has gone out of business to trick you into signing with them instead.
What to do:
- Research any home security company, even ones you call, with the FTC, state Attorney General’s office, state licensing officials and the Better Business Bureau. If the contractor won’t give you the following information, walk away.
- Contractor’s name
- Street address (no P.O. Box)
- Telephone number
- Contractor’s license number
- State that issued the license
- Name under which the license is filed
- If the salesperson won’t leave, call the police.
- Read the fine print and don’t sign anything on the spot. Find out what all costs will be before signing.
- If your company is out of business they would have sent you a letter or called. Verify with your company before taking a salesperson’s word.
- Get referrals from friends and family.
- Get at least 3 written estimates.