Often in Spring and Fall, door-to-door salespeople come through neighborhoods peddling home improvements. Their favorite victims are older homeowners who probably live in a place that needs some work, and aren’t likely to do the work themselves.

These salespeople are trained to convince you to agree to repairs. It might be a new roof or driveway, chimney repairs, new windows, or many other so-called repairs. They want to get a cash down payment from you right then – or possibly get you to sign some papers in a hurry (which might later turn out to be a second mortgage against your home). Be leery of anyone that comes to your door looking for work.

Some typical warning signs are:

• The person comes to your door – the best deals are the ones that YOU seek, not that seek YOU
• The salesperson treats you like a friend, and wants to create trust by saying that he’s been working in the neighborhood
• He appears to be the expert by pointing out the flaws, and creates urgency by telling you that it’s “dangerous” not to fix them, by giving you a one-day-only price and pressuring you for a decision
• He has materials left over – a sure sign of a scam
• Cash only – and cash up front – are also huge warning signs. Never, ever, ever agree to either.

These signs are typical, because reports to Law Enforcement tell us that these salespeople stick pretty closely to the same pitch.

Always take the time to check up on someone before you make a business deal. Is the person even in the phone book? Are there complaints against them with the Better Business Bureau? Are there actual references? Record license plate numbers and vehicle descriptions and don’t be afraid to ask for proof of identification.

In the past, the League City Police Department has received complaints from elderly homeowners about dishonest contractors who agree to re-roof their home or replace asphalt driveways. If the contractors do not take the “start up” cash and run they will return only to cover the old driveway with black paint. Rarely are law enforcement agencies successful in apprehending these scam artists.

League City requires all door-to-door solicitors and sales people to carry at City issued permit. If the person soliciting your business cannot produce the permit contact the Police Department and report them.

If you do suspect a scam or feel you have been a victim of a scam, contact the League City Police Department as soon as possible.

For more information on frauds and scams, contact Crime Prevention Officer, Kelly Williamson, at 281-338-8201.