It can happen to anyone … There’s a knock on the door. When it’s opened, a salesperson is ready to give their best pitch.
Stephanie Vanloon, a homeowner in Southwest Lubbock, was approached by a door-to-door cleaning supplies salesman.
“He was very persistent. He wanted to come in, and then he showed me a slip of paper supposedly filled out by one of my neighbors down the street that bought the product,” said Vanloon.
But how can a homeowner tell if they are legitimate or a fraud?
A city ordinance requires representatives of businesses to acquire a peddler’s permit before soliciting their products in residential neighborhoods.
The permit, containing their name, photo and expiration date, must be worn by the salesperson during the solicitation, said public information officer Tiffany Pelt with Lubbock Police Department. The permit is valid for 30 days.
If someone is caught violating this ordinance, they can be fined up to $200, said Pelt.
A permit is not necessary for nonprofit organizations and charitable causes, according to Pelt.
“Don’t feel like you have to make a purchase or a donation right then and there. Ask for information, ask questions about the organization. If it’s for a nonprofit or a charitable cause, they will have information on the programs. They’ll have a business card or information to contact them later to make a donation,” said Pelt.
Another exception to the ordinance involves security companies.
“Security companies (such as Vector Security, ADT, Vivint) are checked and permitted through the company, but they must provide the local law enforcement agency with primary jurisdiction a written list of all registrants that will be engaging in the door-to-door solicitation of its residents before any solicitation occurs,” said Pelt.
A complete list of permit holders can be found by contacting Lubbock Police Records at 806-775-2805. This list changes daily.