Residents concerned over door to door sales of alarm systems
Date: July 15, 2009

The Millsboro Police Department has received numerous inquiries from concerned citizens regarding several companies selling residential alarm systems. Officers have made contact with several sales people that are going door to door offering the installation of a residential alarm systems and a monitoring contract. It is important to note that the State of Delaware has regulations requiring extensive background checks for salespersons and installers in the alarm industry. These regulations also require that the salesperson carry an employee identification card with them. The Town of Millsboro has not issued any permits for the door to door sale of alarm systems and will not issue a permit unless these requirements are satisfied.

Residents are asked to call 911 if they are contacted by any of these individuals. The dispatch center will send an officer to check the person’s credentials. Residents should be cautious about inviting any unsolicited salesperson into their home and no financial information should be released without first checking into the validity of the company.

Quote Chief Murphy

“We were notified about this activity and started looking into it. It appears that these companies are saturating neighborhoods and using high pressure sales techniques. From what we have discovered they are not properly licensed and have not had background checks done. There are numerous very reputable alarm companies on the peninsula, but they won’t come to your home unless you make an appointment with them. If you are in the market for a product to protect your home you should take the time to learn about the company and make sure they are properly licensed. One of the door to door sales people we contacted actually had outstanding warrants, obviously he would not be able to pass the background check required to get an identification card.”