LUCAS COUNTY, OH (Toledo News Now) - The Lucas County Sheriff's Office wants people to know more about solicitors. Friday morning the office posted some helpful information on their Facebook page.
Here's what it said:
Solicitors take on many forms. They could be Girl Scouts trying to sell cookies from door to door for a local cause, students trying to finance a trip abroad or selling magazine subscriptions. Some householders do not mind some solicitors at their door such as Girl Scouts, as they approve of the work they are doing in the local community and in helping to support their hard work. However other householders do not appreciate having people knock on their door soliciting for money when they are not interested in their cause.
If you have a peephole in your door that allows you to look out at who is standing on your doorstep, then use it. The person or persons standing outside may be perfectly harmless, but there are some criminals who pose as salespeople with others in their group who enter the house from the back and commit a burglary right under your nose. So it is always best to be on guard and to watch who you open the door to, especially after dark if you are on your own. It is better to err on the side of caution than become a victim of a crime.
An effective way to deter solicitors from coming to your home is to put up a "No solicitors" sign on your front door. Then as soon as would-be solicitors notice the sign, they should walk away. If they fail to do so, you have a right to tell these people to vacate your property right away.
If a solicitor knocks at your door, that person must display a City issued ID card that contains their photo, name, company, ID number and expiration date before they even start their "pitch." Be aware that the average con-artist will have many reasons why he/she does not have a solicitor ID to show you. Remember that there is no "legal" reason not to have it. The only exemption for not having a solicitor ID is a city resident canvassing his or her neighborhood from house to house for contributions or support for any charitable, religious, civic, educational, philanthropic, social service, or welfare organization.
- Is out of compliance with the municipal code (lacks a city-issued ID).
- Behaves aggressively, acts threatening and tries to make you feel guilty for not wanting to buy what he/she is selling.
- Pressures you for an immediate decision and demands cash only.
- Pressures you into signing a contract on the spot. If you are signing a contract, read the contract thoroughly.
- Refuses to supply paperwork to substantiate what he/she claims to be selling or to give a contact phone number and address for whom they claim to work.
- Asks for bank account or social security numbers.
- Attempts to make entry into your home (jiggles your door handle if no one answers). Tries to peer into your home through an open window or door to look at your valuables.
