This warning about door to door magazine scammers from PinehurstCommunity.
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"I just had a door to door magazine salesperson come to my door trying to sell me a magazine subscription. He claimed to be with Heritage Marketing. He told me that he lived in the neighborhood. I asked him where and he pointed to the ______'s house and said his father told him that I was a good neighbor to ask for help with his attempt to raise funds to travel to London to recreate the first four episodes of Faulty Towers with John Cleese (???). I asked what his father's name was and he said that he was not allowed to tell me. I pushed it a little further and he got irate with me and left. So, I put my shoes on and followed him up the street. I asked him some more questions to see if he would provide his identity. No go. I explained to him that he had just lied to me and that misrepresenting himself like that is not ok. He claimed to be a student at WSU, that he lived in Bellevue, and that he was a communications major. I did a quick search on line on Heritage Marketing and two scam stories popped up that are nearly identical to my experience with this guy. I called the police. They are looking for him right now.
If you see this guy, call the police. He is about 20, 5-11, roughly 180 pounds, blue eyes, black hair, blue t shirt with a screenprinted graphic, beige cargo shorts, and white basketball shoes. He is carrying a black folder with transaction slips for Heritage Marketing as well as three laminated cards - two that show the magazines available, and one that has the names of local veterans that will supposedly vouch for him."
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Another incident that occurred near Safeway on 15th and 125th.
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"Friday afternoon I had a young lady knocking at my door with a similar magazine subscription story. She was selling magazine subscriptions for the troops! The least expensive was $48.00 and I believe she said 80% of the proceeds would go toward her art study in Puerto Vallarta. And, I could make a cash donation if I did not want to purchase a magazine subscription.
She was quite good and I almost fell for it!! Unfortunately we have to be so careful these days. We must always be aware and alert to not buy into these tricky scams!!"
Many of us grew up in an era when door-to-door sales-people were generally honest, hardworking individuals. Some may still be - but unfortunately the world has changed, and too many of the people who come to our doors unbidden are not.
Some of them want to scam us into a purchase of over-priced subscriptions, or “discount” meat, or “free” windows. They may be “out of gas” and ask to use our phone (who doesn’t have a cell phone these days?).
They may be casing our homes for a later burglary. We may be being ‘interviewed” as potential victims. Most of don’t think in those terms – but we must be aware that others do.
After much consideration and discussion, I have concluded that under no circumstances should my mother (or you or I) open our locked doors to anyone unknown and unexpected by us.
A small window in or by the door, a peep-hole or inexpensive video monitor, will allow us to identify those ringing our doorbells. A simple response of, “Not interested” should cut the “interview” short. If it doesn’t, inform them that you are calling the police to “help” them. In most instances, that will convince them to move on quickly.
I’m not suggesting that we hide in our homes afraid of everyone around us – far from it. I’m only suggesting we very carefully consider who we open our doors to.
Let’s be safe out there.
Best regards,
Bob Gallaher