Home Security Company Selling door to door

Started by EW4 • 11 replies • 2472 views

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EW4 (West Virginia)
Posts: 95

Posted:

Hello-

I am a Director on my HOA and I also handle our website, communications,... We have about 115 homes on one acre lots. Semi-rural location between farms and orchards.
Our community had a rather unpleasant experience last week when a "security company" showed up to sell security systems. A salesman (College Kid in bright orange shirt)from this company showed up on my porch door just as my kids were going out to play. He stated that he worked for this company. I told him I was not interested and please leave immediately. He would not leave! And kept firing off questions in rapid fire as I was closing the door and he was moving closer.
1. Do you have security system? Can I see it?
2. How many people live in your home?
3. Do you have computers or big TVs?
4. What about your neighbors?
5...
I had to get nasty to get him off of my property and he took his time leaving while taking notes. I got the guy's picture and called the police. Turns out they had several other calls (including in the dispatcher's own neighborhood). We had the State Police, and sheriff dispatched to the community. In addition I sent out an email notice to the entire community w/ the picture. Turns out he was doing the same thing to other homes and getting nasty with other residents.

Getting the word out was the best thing because now the community was armed with information. However, some took pity on this guy and even invited him into their homes to use the restroom. Not the brightest move. I received a request to access our non-published secure website. Very uncool. Turns out someone gave out the website address and this guy using his personal email address tried to gain access. Using his email I found his picture and profile on popular social networking site! Unfortunately, it seems that some of the other residents shared information about their neighbors with this guy as well.

One the second day he came back with someone else knocking on doors demanding that residents give them HOA President's name, names of HOA directors, access to our website,... Further, demanding the name and address of who sent out the email. Claimed they had a right to be in our neighborhood and on any our private property! Apparently they were quite belligerent. State Police and Sheriff called again. Plus they were still trying to sell.

A few years back I worked for a very large security company and briefly did residential work before moving to Corporate accounts. This "salesman" was out of line and was asking all of the questions that should send up warning flags to homeowners. Plus the copious note taking on homes where the residents were not there! Reputable security sales people don't do that.

At this time our neighborhood does not have "No Solicitation" signs. Actually, most don't in our area. That will be rectified in our community. I have found that many "aggressive" sales people will ignore them but they still should be posted. Plus we are checking our local ordinances to see what is on the books to provide addition legal protection. We will share with other HOAs around us and so on.

I did check out this company. Turns out they are a real company. Turns out the CEO in an article put out the need to be aggressive. They have thousands of complaints nationally with BBB and other agencies. The FTC is taking action as well. Complaints were on behavior like above, contract issues, and much more.

When it comes to home security do your homework. The door to door sales guy is not the way to go. Knowledge is power. If you have issues like this pop up inform everyone. We have an emergency notification via our website that comes directly to me and we take action.

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By EW4 on 07/05/2011 5:40 AM
I received a request to access our non-published secure website. Very uncool. Turns out someone gave out the website address and this guy using his personal email address tried to gain access. Using his email I found his picture and profile on popular social networking site! Unfortunately, it seems that some of the other residents shared information about their neighbors with this guy as well.

Just as you were able to locate his information, he was probably able to locate your Associations website. This type of information is easily obtainable on the internet.

Quote:

Posted By EW4 on 07/05/2011 5:40 AM

One the second day he came back with someone else knocking on doors demanding that residents give them HOA President's name, names of HOA directors, access to our website,... Further, demanding the name and address of who sent out the email. Claimed they had a right to be in our neighborhood and on any our private property! Apparently they were quite belligerent. State Police and Sheriff called again. Plus they were still trying to sell.

Glad you called the police. This is a matter for them.
You performed your responsibility by alerting the residents.

Quote:

Posted By EW4 on 07/05/2011 5:40 AM

At this time our neighborhood does not have "No Solicitation" signs. Actually, most don't in our area. That will be rectified in our community. I have found that many "aggressive" sales people will ignore them but they still should be posted. Plus we are checking our local ordinances to see what is on the books to provide addition legal protection. We will share with other HOAs around us and so on.

Glad to see your taking the proper steps. I expect that the Association owns the roads.

I am also happy to see that you are alerting others in your area to this type of issue.

Quote:

Posted By EW4 on 07/05/2011 5:40 AM

When it comes to home security do your homework. The door to door sales guy is not the way to go. Knowledge is power. If you have issues like this pop up inform everyone. We have an emergency notification via our website that comes directly to me and we take action.

Thank you for sharing this.

Did the police show up in time to investigate?

Tim

EW4 (West Virginia)
Posts: 95

Posted:

"Just as you were able to locate his information, he was probably able to locate your Associations website. This type of information is easily obtainable on the internet."

I am certain that our website is not searchable on the web. We were hacked by a few residents on our previous site and we have moved to a very secure site with a non published url. No info out there. Tragic that it has to be that way. But that is neither here nor there.

The police were called multiple times both days. I don't have reports as of yet. Actually will be checking with the State Police today.

We do own the roads.

We have had other people come in to the community but they usually leave door hangers on the mailboxes and move on. This was a bit much. Just wanted to get the word out.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

The same actions you did should go for those Magazine sales kids/people as well. That is a national con that many people haven't caught on yet including your local police. We get them about 2 - 3 times a year. One group tried to sale Local newspaper subscriptions! I had a 15 minute discussion with the Police Dispatcher trying to explain that this was illegal activity. She didn't get it. A year later an article popped up in our local newspaper detailing the illegality of these "Magazine sales". Now they tell us to call the police!

What happens to these poor kids is that their "manager" drops them off in a neighborhood and leaves them. They are forced to sell those magazines and don't get to keep most of the money. They are only given enough money to afford cigerrettes,drinks, and groceries. The poor kids who may or may not be into the scam, can get just abandoned at any moment. Just left on the side of the road.

When they approach me I try to find their drop off point. I call the police with a description of the vehicle if I see it. When the kid approaches I talk to them to see if they know what is happening to them or not. Some are in on the con and recognize you know. Be careful with them because they are the one's who will pull your heartstrings and get you to give them money or assistance. Their true goal. Others will get angry and billigerant. They will be in denial. My best approach is to give them NO personal information but educate them on how much money they could make at a 'Mcdonald's".

Be aware of many sales people. Security companies I haven't had an issue with in the past. They are one of the better door to door people. However, there are cons out there with them. Understand the right questions to ask before writing a check or inviting them inside your home.

Former HOA President

BrianB (California)
Posts: 2,820

Posted:

A) I think you did well for your self and the HOA. Good job.

B) interesting marketing tool. If I owned a security system company, I might be inclined to set up a false front company, hire some guys to market like this, and then come by a couple weeks later with a soft approach to see if anyone in the neighborhood had been thinking of their home security.

Scare everyone with salesman A from company A, get them talking about how people can just get into their homes, how someone now knows their phone numbers, room layout, size of TV, garage door location, etc... Let that ferment for a bit with how easy it is for a stranger to gain info and access to their homes, let the rumours spread, and then come in with Company B later and some low key fliers. Or even better, offer one resident a free inspection/install, and make sure my van was nicely visible, and my installer very friendly and chatty with the curious neighbors. "Oh yes, Mrs. Owens here had the same thing, nice man came by and came inside, but you know that's just how they case these places. Terrible. Terrible people today. That's why I am installing a panic system for Mrs. Owens today. Let me show you how it's going to work for her."

EW4 (West Virginia)
Posts: 95

Posted:

We have had the magazine scams, candy scams and the word went out just as fast. This case was by far the worst. It also turns out that they had their installers around the corner ready to come over as soon a customer signed up. Which is even more of an issue. Low voltage installs like this require a permit here and there is a 72 Hour right of rescission that has to expire prior to install.

I intend to use this case as a reason to start having "Ask the Expert Forums" at some of our HOA meetings. I have tried for 4 years on that one and maybe this will be the catalyst.

EW4 (West Virginia)
Posts: 95

Posted:

BruceF1 (Connecticut)
Posts: 2,535

Posted:

EW4,

Wow! If somebody came to my door with questions like that, alarm bells would go off in my head. It counds to me like somebody casing the neighborhood to see if the homes are worth breaking into and which homes might not be protected. About a year ago we had a series of break-ins in town. It seems the perpetrators would go from door-to-door in a neighborhood. If no one answered, they would break in. If someone did answer, they would pretend to be looking for somebody and then leave.

We have considered placing signs at the entrances to our community stating "Private Property - No Soliciting" but we haven't done it yet. We are an adult community and some folks don't want to prohibit granddaughters from selling Girl Scout cookies. Actually, that's about the only solicitation we've had except for some (not many) grandchildren on Halloween and carolers and the town fire truck carrying Santa Claus going up and down our streets on one evening a few cays before Christmas. Who wants to discourage that?

Even posting signs at your entrances might not work for very aggressive solicitors (or con artists). From personal experience I've learned that the Telemarketing Sales Rule doesn't stop aggressive telemarketers from calling people on the Do Not Call List. The penalties are so small that they simply charge them to the cost of doing business, just like advertising. You might want to check the tresspass laws for your city/town/state. Perhaps posting "Violators will be prosecuted" may prove more discouraging.

As for the security of your website, I'm sure you believe its difficult to find, but it's not impossible. To be reachable on the internet the url has to be stored on one or more Domain Name Servers and registered with internic. Given enough persistence, knowledge, and the right tools, it's findable. But, the most likely source is learning the url from somebody who knows it. When I worked for a government contractor we were often reminded that a true secret is known by only one person. The greater the number of people with whom the "secret" is shared, the greater the chances for the secret to be compromised.

You did the right thing to alert others in your neighborhood and to call the police. It will be interesting to learn how things work out.

DoloresM2 (California)
Posts: 60

Posted:

It always amazes me when a company uses high pressure tactics to sell their product, especially door to door sales as it involves a stranger knocking on your door. Not a good time to be pushy. I was in sales for many years and if the order for a more aggressive approach is coming from from the top the chances are they are being managed by someone who does not know much about selling. I am glad you were proactive in calling the police. Unfortunately, they will probably move on to a more vulnerable community

PreciseE (New Jersey)
Posts: 6

Posted:

This door to door selling is the best idea i guess..You should always opt for it only..This gives much more awareness to you than you want it to be.

DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671

Posted:

HAS ANYONE READ MY POST ENTITLED '''EMERGENCY'' READ IT PLEASE.

DONNA

BruceF1 (Connecticut)
Posts: 2,535

Posted:

I'm reviving an old topic here because this might prove interesting.

I read in our local paper today about a door-to-door salesman being banned from four communities. That's right, communities, and by communities I mean towns, municipalities.

It seems complaints were being received about this salesman (he was selling children's educational materials) being very aggressive, not willing to take "no" for an answer and not willing to leave the homeowners' premisis.

How was he "banned?" Simple. The towns revoked his door-to-door peddlar's permit. (Obviously, if he was later caught selling without a permit he could then be arrested.)

Give you any ideas? Maybe you should check your local/state laws regarding vendor's permits.

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