Based on the level of phone activity at Better Business Bureau, flies, spiders and rodents aren’t the only pests trying to get in your house as winter sets in. BBB is helping Boise police sound the alarm about suspicious door-to-door home-security sales.
A salesman knocked on doors, telling people that there was a recent break-in the neighborhood. After striking fear that burglars were lurking in wait for the right opportunity, the man offered to perform a “house security check.” He told one homeowner, “It’s important to keep you safe.”
According to an email alert from Boise Crime Prevention Officer Charlene Miller, one resident who called the Police Department said the man covered up the card on the lanyard around his neck when she asked what business he represented, and he would not answer questions.
Fortunately, the woman did not allow the man in her home.
To top it off, there were no recent reports of burglaries in the neighborhood.
Security-system sales aren’t the only area of concern. BBB has heard from a number of people about door-to-door activities including free carpet cleaning, packaged meat, magazine subscriptions and vacuum sales.
Door-to-door sales are legitimate as long as the people knocking on your door are obeying the law and are honest and transparent about who they are, who they represent and what they’re trying to sell.
BBB offers the following reminders to protect you and your home:
• Don’t let a stranger in your home. Even if your neighborhood is under attack from raiding, spear-throwing marauders, don’t let the salesperson through the door. Thieves are known to pose as salesmen to case a house they may be planning to burglarize.
• Ask the salesperson for written material about the company and let him or her know you are going research the company before making a purchase. Check the company's BBB Business Review at www.bbb.org or call 342-4649.
• Ask to see the city-issued solicitor’s permit for door-to-door sales. This is most often where the salesperson will start backpedaling. I’ve heard, “Um, it’s in my truck.” When I told her to go get it, she said, “Well, I forgot it in my bag at the office.” People must carry the permits with them if they are selling inside city limits.
• If you decide to make a purchase, ask for a dated cancellation form and a dated receipt. Note: The Federal Trade Commission Cooling-Off Rule gives buyers a three-business-day period to cancel a purchase.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY COMING SUNDAY
Be sure to pay close attention to this Sunday’s Idaho Statesman. Inside, you’ll find Better Business Bureau’s Trusted Business Directory. The directory contains a listing of companies that have signed a pledge to advertise honestly, tell the truth, be transparent, honor promises, be responsive, safeguard privacy and embody integrity. We call those companies BBB-accredited businesses. In addition, the directory contains useful tips to help you buy wisely and protect your money. Thanks for grabbing the Trusted Business Directory and holding onto it throughout the year.
CHIMNEY COLUMN CORRECTION
Last week, I wrote about the importance of keeping the chimney in your home clean and in good working order. If you’re not doing the work yourself, choose a qualified, appropriately licensed person to do the job.
I was made aware that the last sentence in the column was wrong. While hiring a chimney sweep certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America is a good idea, the National Chimney Sweep Guild does not require any certifications for its members. CSIA is a public education organization; the Guild is the trade association for sweeps.
Dale Dixon is president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau, a not-for-profit organization serving Southwest Idaho and eastern Oregon. Reach him at 342-4649 or ddixon@boise.bbb.org.
