BBB Western VA Warning: Solicitors going door-to-door in the Roanoke area selling alarm systems

Better Business Bureau Serving Western Virginia is offering tips on door-to-door solicitations after residents in the Vinton area reported a group that sells alarm systems. Consumers are reporting the imposters are going door-to-door, offering to sell or upgrade home security systems. Salespeople are using high-pressure sales tactics for their products. After agreeing to the upgrade, the technician showed up late evening to install the hardware.BBB offers tips for consumers to consider when someone knocks on the door:

• Ask for identification and license or permit. A seller should provide you with information, including a business card and proof of their solicitation permit. Most legitimate sellers will have a picture ID with the company name.
  
  
• Be wary of high-pressure sales tactics. Some of these salespeople can be aggressive and very intimidating. They may pressure you to close the deal then and even make special offers to entice you.
• Require a written contract agreement with anyone you hire. Include their name, address, license number, and phone number in the contract. Read and understand the contract in its entirety. Don’t sign a blank contract on paper or technology like an iPad. Ensure you get a copy of the signed contract at the time of signature.
  
  
• Do not invite unsolicited salespeople into your home. If you allow a salesperson inside and decide during the presentation that you are not interested in making a purchase, simply ask him or her to leave. If they refuse, threaten to call the police, and follow through if they don’t leave immediately.
  
  
• Remember the “Three-Day Cooling-Off Rule.” This Federal Trade Commission rule gives you three days to cancel purchases of more than $25 made in their home or at a location not the seller’s permanent place of business. Along with a receipt, the salesperson should always provide a cancellation form that can be sent to the company to cancel the purchase within three days. By law, the company must give consumers a refund within 10 days of receiving the cancellation notice.
  
  
• If the seller uses any suspicious tactics, report it. First, file a police report with your local department. You should also report fraud to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Finally, report the encounter to BBB so those who search BBB Scam Tracker do not fall victim to these same tactics.