Use these 5 Tips to Secure Your Front Door and Know Signs of a Security Sales Scam
Summertime can mean more door-to-door salespeople visiting your home or neighborhood. Warmer weather can also present more opportunities for potential thieves looking for easy entry into your home. Either way, you can use these five, simple steps to protect your property and family from door-to-door scams or break-ins.
Increase Summertime Safety Using Front Door Security and Home Video Surveillance
A strong first step to protecting your bank accounts and home is to be aware of potential dangers and prepared for when someone uninvited rings your doorbell or knocks on your door. Follow these front door security tips and be sure to share them with all family members, including elderly parents who live alone:
- Don't open the door to just anyone – Always look out first to see who is knocking. Don't open the door at all if you don't have a secondary door or security barrier between you and the person. Don't rely solely on a door chain unless you've beefed up it's mounting with long screws.
- Don't feel like you have to open the door at all – However, it's a good idea to let the person know someone is home. Have a loud conversation with another family member that can be overheard. Ask the person to leave information at the door. Instruct young children to never open the door when someone visits. Only an adult should do that.
- Ask for identification –Use a peephole, intercom, video doorbell camera, or security app on your smartphone to identify who's at your door, and ask him to leave an ID or business card. If the person claims to be from a company you do business with, call that company to see if it sent a representative. It's OK to make them wait or to ask them to return once you've received verification from your service provider.
- Never indicate you are alone or no one is home – Reference others being home but occupied with an activity (e.g., We can't open the door right now. Please leave a business card….) Remember that the person could be casing your place for a future break-in. Never share a schedule for when you're home or away, and review your answering machine message to make sure it does not imply you are out of town or live alone.
- Make your home appear occupied. Consider home automation, interactive security, or energy management services to control your video doorbell, video surveillance, lighting, appliances, sound systems – using an app on your smartphone or connected products like Google Home or Amazon Echo. Our newest doorbell camera, for example, alerts you to visitors and lets you speak to them no matter where you are, letting them know you can see them.
-
- Tells you that we are no longer in business, no longer serve your area, or were sold to their company.
- Asks you to sign a new contract to ensure your security continues.
- Asks for access to your system or say it has been recalled and requires replacement or upgrading that day.
- Shows you documents to support claims they need access to your system.
- Uses high-pressure tactics to force you to make a decision on the spot and won't allow you to check all the details before signing a contract.
- Appears for a service call without scheduling an appointment in advance.
- Refuses to provide a business card or company contact information.