This past June police in Spartanburg, SC were warning their community about a home security scam that had victimized a couple of hundred homeowners. The scam involved a rogue home security company that canvassed Spartanburg neighborhoods looking for alarm company placards. Where they were found, a group of individuals would descend upon a house and pull off the scam.
Avoiding Home Security Scams
The group’s leader would knock on the door and explain he and his group was sent by the homeowner’s legitimate security company to upgrade equipment. After getting the homeowner to sign a couple of documents the crew would enter the home and quickly swap out old equipment for new.
As it turns out, unsuspecting homeowners were duped into signing a contract that allowed this rogue company to transfer service to them. The contract also allowed them to replace equipment as part of the new service, even if that equipment was inferior. Spartanburg police say the scam is no longer operating in their community; they suspect the group has moved on to another town or a different state entirely.
You can avoid being the victim of these types of scams by utilizing the following tips:
Check Identification and Uniforms - Whenever someone knocks on your door always check for legitimate identification. Also take note of any uniform an individual is wearing to see if there’s anything odd about it. In the case of the home security scam, where there were several people working together, take a minute to note whether or not their uniforms match. Improper identification and non-matching uniforms are both red flags.
Call Your Alarm Company - Even if the people at your door appear to have legitimate identification and uniforms, that doesn’t mean they’re legit. Most alarm companies today will send e-mails or make phone calls to warn you that their representatives will be in your area. If you have not received such notification you have every right to be suspicious. Call your alarm company and inquire as to whether or not the people standing at your door are company representatives. If not, don’t sign a contract or let them in your house.
Read the Contract in Detail - Before you sign a contract make sure you read it thoroughly. Unfortunately, most homeowners simply assume things are on the up-and-up. That plays right into the hands of scammers who are depending on getting documents signed very quickly before a homeowner knows what’s going on. Any legitimate salesman will be more than happy to allow you to take 5 to 10 minutes to read your contract. One who resists is probably one you don’t want to do business with.
Don’t Give out Credit Card Information - One of the most profitable parts of these types of scams in the 21st century is stealing credit card and bank information from unsuspecting customers. Under no circumstances should you ever give out such information to a salesman standing at your door. Even if he is legitimately from your current alarm company, he has no need for such information. The company can bill you for upgraded equipment and services in the same way they bill you for your current monthly service.
It’s unfortunate that we live in a world where consumers can even be scanned by a home security company. Nonetheless, that’s the case. It behooves every homeowner to be wary if someone knocks on the door offering to install an alarm system. As long as you’re diligent and you use common sense, you’ll be able to spot a scam and deal with it effectively.
