Tag Archives: home security

The Door Knockers are Getting More Aggressive

Posted on by

http://www.kmbc.com/news/28337656/detail.html

I am reading more complaints and warnings on door to door alarm salespeople – it’s rare that a day passes where I don’t see a “Google Alert” on pushy tactics or fraudulent behavior. Most of these negative consumer experiences involve one of the Utah-based companies specializing in door knocking, but there are variations. One trend is for burglars to pretend to be alarm sales door knockers to case your house (watch for a future post on that trend!), and the other is today’s topic: even ADT’s authorized dealers can go “over the top” in how they try to sign up new customers. In a report from KMBC in Kansas City, Missouri, it’s clear that one company didn’t just push the envelope of ethical sales – they tore it in half!

Some residents in the Waldo area said they have been intimidated by someone selling alarm systems for ADT. Residents told KMBC’s Cliff Judy that ADT salesmen even claimed they were working hand in hand with Kansas City police.

The Bogus Pitch

Homeowner Toni Zaner said a man in an ADT polo shirt offered to reactivate her security system. “He said it was a $1,200 activation fee and that Kansas City police would be covering the cost of that to help out the area,” Zaner said. “The first thing he said is he was working with the Kansas City Police Department. Of course, I knew that wasn’t true.”

Along with claims of working for the homeowner’s alarm company to gain entrance, of referencing non-existent crime statistics, this is a common ploy of door knockers – but not of ADT dealers. ADT is normally more disciplined, and comes down hard on dealers who cross the line and risk giving ADT a bad name.

“Just ‘Cause It’s Legal, Don’t Make it Right”

Police said they are not partnered with ADT, and the company has hired a third party to sell alarm systems in Kansas City. KMBC’s Judy reported that ADT has a license to sell and install the systems, and there is nothing legally wrong. But Zaner and her neighbors said they did not like the sales tactics that they saw.

Zaner said that at one point the salesman asked for her birthday, made one phone call and had her Social Security number. “I snatched it from him, and I asked him to leave,” Zaner said. “Just don’t believe it. Even if they’re dressed in uniform and it looks like they have official documentation, just don’t fall for it.”

Advice from the Victim

“This is beyond aggressive marketing. This is intrusive,” one homeowner said. ADT told Judy that it is the largest alarm system company in the United States, and every summer the company receives complaints of copycat companies trying to sign up customers. ADT confirmed that the salesman was an authorized dealer, but said the sales tactics were not acceptable. The company said it is considering severing ties with that dealer.

Keep Your Pets Safe

Posted on by
  • Keep Pets Near Entrances When Away From Home – Keep collars on pets and leashes at the ready in case firefighters need to rescue your pet.
  • When leaving pets home alone, keep them in areas or rooms near entrances where firefighters can easily find them.
  • Secure Young Pets – Especially with young puppies, keep them confined away from potential fire-starting hazards when you are away from home such as in crates or behind baby gates in secure areas.
  • Since Pets Left Alone Can’t Escape a Burning Home – Consider using monitored smoke detectors which are connected to a monitoring center so emergency responders can be contacted when you’re not home. These systems provide an added layer of protection beyond battery-operated smoke alarms.
  • Affix a Pet Alert Window Cling – Write down the number of pets inside your house and attach the static cling to a front window. This critical information saves rescuers time when locating your pets. Make sure to update the number of pets listed.

PRAIRIE VILLAGE, KS Burglaries Increasing

Posted on by

PRAIRIE VILLAGE, KS — Crooks are stepping up their crimes in Prairie Village, as the number of burglaries continues to climb even after police thought they caught the culprits. 

Back in November Prairie Village police arrested three suspects in connection with a string of home break-in’s.  A neighbor gave chase after he saw saw the men carry out a flat screen tv and take off. 

But since the suspects arrest there have already been 23 burglaries in the small city, most with the same M-O.  Police say most of the recent burglaries happen the same way.

A car pulls up, someone knocks on the front door.  If no one answers, the thieves kick the door in, grab what they can and take off. 

“This crime is taking 30 seconds or less so the most important thing for us right now is to have some cooperation with neighbors, being able to have them call us if they see anything suspicious,” said Captain Wes Lovett of the Prairie Village Police Department.

Since the crime happens so fast police say it’s crucial that neighbors to call police immediately when they see something suspicious.  Out of the 23 break-ins since December 17 have been front door kick in’s with flat screen tv’s being stolen.  

“A lot of the burglaries are happening at evening time when it’s dark and what they are looking for are houses that have no lighting on the outside,” said Lovett. Police say although you can’t always keep a burglar out of your home, there are some tips to help prevent you from becoming a victim especially during the winter months. 

“Since it’s been snowing, if you have some neighbors that aren’t going to be home for a little while, maybe make some tracks in their driveway, make it look like someone’s been going in and out.” said Prairie Village Crime Prevention office Matt Boggs.  

Police say a lot of these houses are selected because it looks like nobody’s home.  They recommend putting both outside and inside lights on a timer or using a motion sensor light.  Pick up your trash cans as soon as possible and don’t let your newspapers pile up on the driveway, all signs that invite the bad guys to your home. 

Police say the most important thing is to look out for your neighbors and notify police of the first sign of suspicious activity.

Protecting your Home While you Are Away

Posted on by

A few years ago all we had to be concerned about was the Voice Mail Greeting on our Home Phone. We learned that telling a caller that we were not at home was an open invitation for burglars break in and take what they wanted. Now our Voice Mail Greeting simply state “We Can’t Take Your Call, Please Leave a Message and We will Call You Back”.

Social Media, that has taken off like Wildfire over the past few years is creating the same problem we had with voice mail greetings years ago. As a society we have embraced Linkedin, Facebook and Twitter on a level no one could have anticipated. We are putting our lives on display for all to see. Information about our Homes, Children even Vacation Plans. To give you an idea how far this has gone I had a friend post that he had passed three Kidney Stones last week on Linkedin. That is “Too Much Information” for me.

Therefore the questions we need to ask ourselves now have become a little more complex:

Are you putting too much information on Linkedin, Facebook and Twitter?

Who can access the information you Post on Linkedin, Facebook and Twitter?

Is putting our Lives on Display in such detail making our Homes and Family More or Less Secure?

Finally, how many people know that You Are Away From Home because of your Posts on Linkedin, Facebook and Twitter?

Scam Artists Swindle Thousands- Stay Informed

Posted on by 
The issues referenced in this press release are not unique to Atlanta, Ga. These companies are operating in the Kansas City area as well as across the United States. The best advise we can give our customers is to be suspicious of any stranger that knocks on your door regardless of who they claim to represent.
 
Press Release: Atlanta, GA June 21,2010
Scam Artists Swindle Thousands from Unsuspecting Security Consumers
 
(Atlanta, Ga., June 21, 2010)-Temperatures are not the only things on the rise this summer. The security industry's summer scams are back with a vengeance, and costing consumers more money and headaches. Security customers have reported that representatives identifying themselves with major manufacturers like General Electric ®, Honeywell ®, their current security alarm service provider or even their local county, have been giving prospective customers exaggerated details of recent break-ins and cut phone lines to get the customer's attention. The companies state that their current system is obsolete and they have updated equipment, complete with backup systems available at no cost to the customer. Once confusing paperwork is signed, the customer is stuck with a five-year, non-cancellable contract. When the customer realizes they are responsible for these additional monthly payments, it's usually too late. The equipment is installed and their contract is sold to a national security company. "These individuals are fast talking, well-dressed and good at what they do. They wear logo shirts from various manufacturers and often flash official looking I.D. Unfortunately for customers, they misrepresent who they are and what they're really selling," says Vince Raia, President EMC Security, Atlanta, GA. Many customers are stuck with a legal and binding contract. Although the presentation is misleading, the contract is clear and customers have little recourse to get out of them. "Breaking the contract requires the customer to pay the full term contract amount or a settlement fee that can total in the thousands. Even if customers want to remain with their current provider, the equipment is usually proprietary to the companies who purchase the contracts afterwards. The summer programs sales programs are a lucrative business, averaging 40,000 signed contracts in a three-month sales period. For many contracts, most States adhere to the federal three-day buyer's remorse law where a consumer can cancel a qualifying contract within three business days. However, once the security backup installation is started, even if within those three days, this Law is difficult to enforce.
 
Customers should contact their security company if someone comes to their home suggesting their security system needs an upgrade, backup, maintenance or any type work. If customers suspect someone is falsely representing themselves, they should contact the police.
The issues referenced in this press release are not unique to Atlanta, Ga. These companies are operating in the Kansas City area as well as across the United States. The best advise we can give our customers is to be suspicious of any stranger that knocks on your door regardless of who they claim to represent.

Security System Month-to-Month Contract

Posted on by

All Security System Monitoring Companies experience cost increases from time to time. Eventually these companies will increase the price charged to their customers. If you are locked into a 3 or 5 year contract and you don’t agree with the new price you are stuck until your contract comes up for renewal.

With a Month to Month contract you are in control of the relationship not some out of town company you can’t influence.