Beware of Door to Door Alarm Scams

Are you concerned about the security of your home or business? If you are, it is a good idea to have some form of the security system to protect your property. You should consider getting one of the many excellent home security systems Toronto. However, before you buy a security system for your home, you should think about the many scams that are out there. The door to door alarm scams are a major problem, and if you fall victim to them, you might end up with devastating consequences.

How Home Security Salesmen Dupe Homeowners

Now, we are not saying all door-to-door security sales are scams but you do have to do your due diligence. Most are actually hard working, honest people providing a legitimately great deal. However, some home security system salesmen promise homeowners effective protection against burglars, but did you know that there are many of them who are actually crooks who dupe homeowners? Many of them are excellent salesmen who lie convincingly well.

There is a common ploy that many of these crooked salesmen use – they offer homeowners free home security systems Toronto in exchange for putting up a sign for their company on the front lawn. This tactic gets them in while they put on the pressure using scare tactics. And then there are monthly charges for monitoring that can cost as much as 3x to normal rate offered by other legit companies. You should keep in mind that legitimate companies typically charge $20 to $50 as monthly monitoring charges.

If you are visited by a door-to-door home security salesman, it is critical that you read the contract carefully and thoroughly before you sign anything. If your instincts tell you that something is off, you should listen to it and refuse the salesman’s offer, no matter how good it sounds.

What You Should Watch Out For

If you are visited by a door-to-door salesman hawking home security systems in Toronto, there are a few things you should watch out for. If you notice any of these things, you should decline their offer and show them the door.

• Beware of “limited offer” claims. If the salesman tells you that the company he represents is ready to install the home security system immediately and the offer is available only for a limited time, it is a sure sign that something is off. Legitimate companies allow you to compare different bids and review your security needs in a comprehensive manner before they ask you to agree to a system installation.
• In some areas, homeowners are required to register their alarm systems personally with local police. If a salesman promises to do it for you, do not believe them. There are also specific requirements in some areas, such as having a local facility to monitor your home security system. A good way to check the reputation of any company is to visit the BBB’s (Better Business Bureau) website and find out information about the company.

Door-to-door salesmen are usually extremely good at their job, but it is important to beware of them. Always make sure that you read their contract properly, and that includes all of the oral promises that the salesman made to you. The contract package should include details like the installation price, contract period, quarterly or monthly monitoring fee, written warranty, applicable discounts, cancellation forms, owner’s manual and an explanation of your right to cancel the contract with the company. Remember that the contract should also show the seller’s name and address and be dated.

Keeping these things in mind can help ensure that you do not fall victim to a scam by a door-to-door home security salesman. So, if you need a long-term and legitimate solution, simply call Smart4U Security.