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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Suspicious Person In Orange Vest Casing Around Homes Near Villa On NE 51st Street

The Laurelhurst Blog has received several emails about a man in an orange vest fitting the email description recently given below by a Laurelhurst resident.

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

And if you do open 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 easily viewable.  If the solicitor becomes angry, threatening or verbally abusive, call 911, the SPD website says.

And always call 911 if you see something suspicious.



Here is email the Laurelhurst Blog staff received about the particular man with the orange vest walking by homes near Villa Academy:

On the afternoon of April 5, a man rang our doorbell at 3:30pm on the 4500 block of NE 51st Street, near Villa Academy, and my child answered.   

The man was white, about 5'10:, 30-40 years old with brown eyes.  He had a short brown beard and combed back hair and large skin pores.  He was wearing jeans, work boots, blue sweatshirt and a bright orange work vest. He was carrying a small blue canvas bag and a clipboard.  short brown beard combed back hair.    

My daughter said he didn't look like a homeless man.

The man said he was here to check blocked pipes and, when my child said she would call her mother he said "Don't bother" and that he would only be 10 minutes.   

He asked if our barking dogs were locked up and went into the back yard.   

My daughter felt something was up and went around the house checking the doors and windows were locked and then watched him. He rummaged round in our bushes in the back yard and then disappeared.   She thinks he climbed over the neighbors fence.   

My daughter was caught off guard as she thought it a bit odd but remembered we'd had a blocked toilet a few weeks ago so it made sense. That said, she sensed something was not right.  

I advised her that we wouldn't usually ask a tradesman to come to the house when she was alone.   

I also told her to ask the person for their identification and take a picture of them holding it.  And to also check for a car. He had no car.   

The Laurelhurst Crime Prevention officer stopped by shortly after and looked around our yard.  I checked the street and no-one else had seen him. We are also filing a police report.

 Here are more tips from the Seattle Police Department in dealing with solicitors.

 

Possible Suspicious Person Seen On Ivanhoe Place NE

A reader sent us this email:

I live on Ivanhoe Place NE on the edge of Laurelhurst. I am writing to let you know that a man who looks a bit out of sorts has been seen a few days in a row now by various neighbors walking down Ivanhoe wearing no shirt and eating out of a bowl while he walks.  

He also has been seen by neighbors walking between different houses along Ivanhoe and hence is not just sticking to the sidewalk while he walks.  

 It looked to me like he is relatively tall and thin, has sandy or perhaps sandy/gray hair, is somewhere between 40 and 60 years old, and that he was wearing just shorts and sneakers while walking along. 

Suspicious Person Seen on 4100 Block Of 42nd Avenue NE

We received this email from a reader:

It is 5:30pm on June 28th,  and we just got home on 42nd Avenue NE and NE 41st Street and a man with long hair, back pack and blue shirt was on my property after I saw him going to a neighbor's house and looking at that house.  He continued looking at other houses.  

He stood on the sidewalk as I came out of our garage and waited for me to leave it seemed.  But I started toward him and he went down the street south of NE 41st Street. It did not look as if he belonged in this area. 

Suspicious Man Seen On Surber Drive On Friday Evening

A reader shared this information:

There is a guy we saw walking down Surber Drive Friday night at 7:30pm along the waterfront and down 42nd Avenue NE.  He walked by our house three times and walked into the driveway of a home across the street looked into a bed of a pick up truck and then walked back to the sidewalk. It appeared as if he was looking to steal something so be on the look out.  He  was wearing blue jeans thin and light brown hair. 

My husband called the police after following him to Five Corners and the man ducked into the parking lot.  The police officer said he couldn't do anything.

Reader Reports Suspicious Solicitors Near The Park As Well As Suspicious Activity In The Backyard

A reader who lives near the Park sent us this email about two suspicious solicitors as well as suspicious noise in the backyard:

Like your most recent blog post, I called the police on Monday, May 7^th because of two males at my door. It was 8pm and I heard pounding on my front door. I saw one of the two boys (late-teens/early twenties-both of them) through my window and said “NO thanks!”   

The guy made eye contact and said “Okay”. The other male (whom I couldn’t see) yelled “I’m your neighbor!” I stupidly opened the door to find two males, one African American and the other white at my door.   

They told me they “live on 45^th with Cherise” (whoever that is!) and they were doing a project for the UW where they have to meet 100 people and asked if I could help them. I said “nope” and shut my door. I watched them NOT go to my direct neighbors home, but did see them heading towards the boulevard and possibly went to another home. 

Wednesday evening, May 9th, a much stranger event occurred around 10pm.   I heard a scraping noise on my patio and thought something or someone was dragging my garbage cans. I jumped up and my phone hit the floor and made a noise (which I’m thinking scared them off). My room is directly over the patio and the only room with a light on at this time (except for my outdoor lights). 

I saw the umbrella from my backyard table (still open-about 6-8 feet wide) sitting on my patio…a good 10+ feet from the table it was pulled from. Without any wind, I ran through the house looking and didn’t see anyone.   

I called 9-1-1 who responded right away. When I went outside, the table it was pulled from was over-turned and there was no doubt that only a human could have been in my yard dragging my patio furniture around.

Reader Reports Suspicious People Possibly Checking For Unlocked or Unoccupied Houses Near Talaris

A reader sent us this email:

I would like to share with you some some suspicious behavior I witnessed Sunday afternoon (April 15th) in the alley behind my house. 

About 3pm today (Sunday), I was leaving the house, driving down the alley. Three houses down, I saw a young white man with a backpack, maybe college age, looking up at that house from the alley.  These neighbors sometimes have a car parked in the back off the alley, but today that car was not there. 

As I passed him, the young man saw me and kind of raised his hand to acknowledge me. I got a weird feeling, so I turned right off the alley and parked to watch him. I saw him walk up the alley and up our driveway! So I turned around and went back to the house, and he was standing right by our side door to the garage. The light from the motion sensor above the door had turned on. I'm positive he was checking to see if it was unlocked. As I drove up, he just walked away, didn't say a word. 

I went inside and up to our deck to see where he was going. That's when I noticed a young woman, again about college-age, in the Talaris parking lot yelling into her cell phone. I'm sure I saw her back there on the grass when I left the house but I didn't think anything of it.  She left for a while, and then a car drove up and stopped in the Talaris drive. It wasn't parked, it was just sitting in the drive. 

Then the young woman showed up again and talked to the driver, but didn't get in. The car eventually left. Then a short while later, I saw that same young woman walking up the alley with the man I saw earlier. This is an alley that dead-ends, not a place you would walk unless you had a specific destination along the alley. 

Anyways, it appears to me that these young people are working in groups to see which houses are unoccupied, and they have a driver that comes to pick them up. They are clean cut (the woman even had a skirt on), white, about college age. They were working in broad day light. They may think alot of families may be out of town for spring break. 

I did report this information to the police. 

Please feel free to include this information in your blog so that other neighbors can be on the lookout. Unfortunately, these people could easily be overlooked because they do look like young, clean cut college age kids that could live in the neighborhood.

Report of Another Suspicious Person In The Neighborhood

A reader sent us this email about a suspicious person that came to her house last Wednesday, in the area of NE 44th Street and 51st Avenue NE:

We had a white man driving a red honda civic come to our BACK door and said he was looking for a package.  Speaking thru the door I said we did not have his package.  He again repeated this several times before leaving.  This was Wednesday (June 22nd) at dinner time.