CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va -- It's a sales pitch that started with a knock at the door. Irving Peoples said a young man claiming to work for Honeywell tried to convince him to upgrade his ADT security system.
"He was connected with the Honeywell security corporation and that Honeywell had recently teamed up with ADT,” Peoples recalled the man telling him.
Peoples said the guy wanted to charge him $600 for a new keypad. When he declined, Peoples said the man offered to give it to him for free if he put Honeywell signs in his yard and sign a consent form. Peoples said that wasn’t the only persuasion tactic the man used.
"If homeowners did not have the updated keypad as of next year, then Chesterfield Police officers would no longer be responding to any alarm activation calls,” said Peoples.
He tried to back up the claim by saying the County’s Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance.
Peoples contacted police and ADT who confirmed his suspicions.
"She said as far as she knows there's no partnership with Honeywell as far as providing materials for an updated keypad. And if so, they would've sent out information,” Peoples explained. "It might have been a scam situation where they just wanted to gain access and once they get that new keypad hooked up they would have all the information from the home security."
Peoples said the alleged salesman showed up to his home again on Tuesday. Peoples called police and officers responded to his Chesterfield neighborhood. He said four people had signed up to upgrade their security system. Ironically, Peoples is a retired Chesterfield police officer.
ADT recently released this information for its customers:
Starting May 15 and continuing through August 31, 2015 ADT’s new reward program offers up to $5,000 for lawfully obtained information showing how alarm companies are training employees to engage in deceptive sales practices. For full reward details visit: www.adt.com/resources/adt-rewards-program
Over the past year, attorneys general in several states have imposed legal action against companies which have made false or misleading statements while selling security alarm services door-to-door.
- ADT reminds consumers to follow these tips to prevent being victimized by security scammers:
- Ask for photo identification and/or a business card of who is at your door
- Don’t be pressured into agreeing to new equipment or signing a contract
- Request literature be left behind so you can study it before taking action
- Call your current security company to confirm what a sales rep or telemarketer tells you
