Beware Of Suspicious Magazine Solicitors And Police Tips When One Knocks On Your Door



The Laurelhurst Blog has received many reports about a suspicious person walking around the neighborhood selling magazine subscriptions.
 
He is described as African American in his mid 20's with a slight build wearing a red hat, white sweater with gray scarf, charcoal gray pants and black tennis with white soles. 
 
Residents report that he has visited many, many houses, even those with "No Soliciting" signs and won't leave when asked and becoming verbally aggressive, belligerent, argumentative and insulting.  Neighbors describe him as being very insistent and persistent in remaining at a home after being asked to leave, continuing to knock, ring the doorbell and pound on doors as well as looking into windows.

One person reported he came to their house four times in one day even though the owner had told the individual that they were not interested in a magazine subscription.
 
Neighbors have called 911 and the Police have responded multiple times and have not been able to find the individual.
 
The solicitor has been seen multiple times on Surber Drive NE, 42nd Avenue NE, 41st Avenue NE, Belvoir Place, NE 33rd Street, 3500 block of NE 43rd Street and the residential area north of the Center for Urban Horticulture and on the west side of Talaris.
 
In the past months, others have reported a different individual seen on the 3700 and 3800 block of 46th Avenue NE as well as 47th Avenue NE to East Laurelhurst Drive, wearing a navy blue blazer, light blue button down shirt and jeans and a baseball cap, saying he was from Chicago and selling magazines.

The man didn't have a business permit and was not able to answer what company he was affiliated with.  The man was verbally aggressive, saying race related comments, as well as swearing heavily.  The same individual was also looking in cars.
 
Other residents have reported a female solicitor, claiming to be
selling magazines for a program to earn money, though she didn't have any order forms or business license with her.  She was been seen on the 4500 block of 48th Avenue NE.
 
The Laurelhurst Blog has published many posts on suspicious solicitor over the years, reporting that solicitors show up in a variety of ways - some saying they are practicing their social skills, same ones reportedly also visiting other nearby neighborhoods, others claiming to sell magazine subscriptions, and another person saying he is a janitor at whatever business is nearest the home he is visiting and saying he needs money as he is locked out.
Seattle Police regularly sends out notifications about your rights when a solicitor comes to your door.

SPD advises residents to not open their doors to solicitors, but to say "No thank you" or "Not interested" through the door.

SPD also says:

Most of these solicitors are not legitimate. These solicitors are scammers and give very little, if any, of the money they collect to the charity or organization they claim to represent. If you do answer the door and the solicitor becomes angry, threatening or verbally abusive, call 911.

 

SDP also says before opening the door, check to see that the solicitor is displaying proper identification mandatory in Seattle, showing the residential sales identification which number, seller’s photograph, along with the name of the licensee as well as the agent, and the type of product or service being sold. This must be on the outside of their clothing so it is easily viewable.

The license is only valid for the product or service specified. For questions about whether a company is properly licensed, call the City of Seattle’s Office of Revenue & Consumer Affairs 206-684-8136.

Last year there were numerous reports of very rude and confrontational magazine selling solicitors, particularly from D & T Connections, and here are just a few of the links found on-line about the serious problems with these solicitors nationwide: CBS News - D&T Connection Is An Accredited SubAgent, But I Still Don't Like Its Tactics
Houston Press - Magazine Crews Stabbin' Its Way Through Dallas
Lexington Police Warn Of Door to Door Magazine Sales Scam
 
In Laurelhurst, there have been many magazine solicitors over the summers and many complaints from residents:
Suspicious Solicitor Becomes Rude At Neighbor's Door More on Magazine Solicitors
Crimewatch: Magazine Solicitors
Susipcious Solicitors Near NE 45th Street
Suspicious Scam Artists
Solicitor Practicing Social Skills

Here are more  tips from the Seattle Police Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator:   

If you are displaying a "No Solicitor" sign it is unlawful for any residential seller to attempt to gain admittance for the purpose of selling at any residence displaying one of these signs.

Acknowledge the knock since ignoring it may lead to an attempted burglary. It is preferable to speak to strangers through your door.

Each residential seller is required to immediately upon contacting the prospective buyer, disclose their name, company and the product or service represented.

If requested to do so, the seller must leave the premises immediately. If the individual does not leave, or if an attempt to gain access is attempted by asking to use the bathroom, the phone or get a drink of water, refuse the request and ask the individual to leave. If you feel intimidated, pressured, or threatened at any time, call 911.

It is safer not to allow the salesperson into your home.

Don't pay immediately or give the salesperson cash or a check, as it may be pocketed and you will never receive the product ordered. Instead, find out from the seller how you can order directly from he company or receive the bill upon receipt of the product/service. If the salesperson is concerned about losing their commission for the sale, offer to provide their name when placing your order.

In Seattle, if you make a purchase, the salesperson must tell you of your right to cancel the order and the contract must include a statement regarding the right to cancel as well as a notice informing the buyer of their right to cancel the order any time prior to midnight of the third business day after the date of the transaction. A completed Notice of Canelllation (in duplicate) must be provided to the purchaser at the time they purchase from the seller. You do not need to provide a reason for canceling the order.

For each sale of ten dollars or more, the seller must provide a receipt or contract to the purchaser. Do not leave any blanks on your contract. Be sure the contract or receipt is dated and that it states the terms of the transaction, the amount of payment made and the name and address of the residential seller.

Never be afraid to say “NO!” to high pressure tactics and end your conversation with the salesperson.

Avoid making an immediate purchase in order to receive a “free gift.”

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Always look for proper identification. In Seattle, all door-to-door sellers must display on their outer clothing a Residential Seller photo ID issued by the City and carry with them a Seattle Business License with a Residential Seller endorsement. The residential sales agent’s license has the name of the agent and the business they represent. It shall also be endorsed with the type of product or service being sold. The license is only valid for the product or service specified and includes the licenses expiration date. It is advisable not to open your door to see the license. View the license through a peep hole in

the door or a window. If you cannot confirm the seller has a valid license you can call this office at 206-684-8484 and speak with a representative who can verify if the license is legitimate. The license number on the ID badge is the same as the seller’s City account number.  If you have any questions or concerns regarding Residential Sellers contact the Seattle Regulatory Control and Consumer Protection Division at 206-233-0050, Ronald Halas, Inspector, License and Tax Enforcement Ronald.Halas@seattle.gov.


Call 911 if you feel threatened or if you feel the person is acting

suspicious. You can also call the non-emergency number (206-625-5011

Never fall for high pressure sales tactics.These sales people may use intimidation, pressure tactics and threats to make a sale.  If a salesperson tries to pressure you into buying their product, terminate your conversation with them. Take the time to compare offers and shop around.

 Never be afraid to say “No!”. Call 911 if you feel threatened or if you feel the person is acting

suspicious. You can also call the non-emergency number (206-625-5011).

If the sales person is under 18, the police can determine if the business has the proper certification for employment of minors.

Use good judgment. It is safer not to allow the salesperson into your home. While the

salesperson on your doorstep might be a kid in need of help, there is a risk that they are a

criminal who has decided a traveling crew is a good place to hide. They may try to gain access to your home by asking for something to drink or to use the bathroom or by just pushing past you. They then use this opportunity to either commit a crime at that time or to check out your home for a future break-in.

Beware of deals that offer “free gifts” which depend on you purchasing a product you may not want.

Know your rights! In Seattle, if you make a purchase, the salesperson must tell you of your right to cancel the order and the contract must include a statement regarding the right to cancel. For every sale involving ten dollars or more the seller will provide a receipt or contract to the purchaser. Do not leave any blanks on your contract. Be sure the contract or receipt is dated and that it states the terms of the transaction, the amount of payment made and the name and address of the residential seller. It must also include a notice informing the buyer of their right to cancel the order any time prior to midnight of the third business day after the date of the transaction.  The seller must also provide to the purchaser at the time they sign a contract, or buy or agree to buy goods or services from the seller, a completed notice of cancellation in duplicate. You do not need to provide a reason for cancelling your order.

Here is a picture of a license that solicitors are required to carry:

 

 

   


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