But door-to-door scams are still an issue that we need to be aware of, particularly business owners. Door-to-door scams are still surprisingly common, and they can cost your business a huge amount of money.
Being aware of door-to-door scams, and ensuring you have a robust security solution, can go a long way in mitigating the risk that you will fall for them.
What are door-to-door scams?
One of the most common door-to-door scams is when a criminal offers a quote for work that needs to be done at your business.
They will often give you a reduced or discounted rate to make the price more attractive. This might be something like paving your parking lot, replacing your roof or changing your flooring. You agree to have the work done, sign a contract and provide a down payment for the service.
The criminal then takes the money and moves on to their next victim, without doing the work for you.
Because a contract was agreed on, this sort of fraud usually becomes a civil issue. This means you have to file a suit against someone who you don’t know and a company that doesn’t exist. Sounds difficult? It is. And it can lead to thousands of dollars in losses.
How to identify door-to-door scams
The problem is, legitimate businesses still use door-to-door marketing campaigns. To help you determine whether you should be dealing with a door to door sellers, consider the following:
How to deter door-to-door scammers from targeting your business
One of the most effective methods in deterring door-to-door scammers is by installing video surveillance.
Not only can it help you by capturing images of the “salesperson” (fraudster), which can help you track them down and notify others if the deal goes sour. Surveillance systems can also deter criminals from knocking on your door in the first place.
In instances where criminals return at a later time to commit a theft, verified video can help local police forces to catch them red-handed. If you use monitored surveillance, this theft will be captured and reviewed by security professionals who will contact the authorities immediately.
If you’re interested in learning more about the scams you need to protect your business from and how our security system can help, contact us today.