Wednesday, July 13, 2022
Our office has received reports of scammers going door-to-door in neighborhoods, posing as maintenance workers or salespeople. Be aware of activity in your neighborhood and remain cautious. Don’t open the door if you don’t know the visitor, and if you’re concerned for your safety, please contact local law enforcement immediately.
Here are some other tips to keep in mind:
- If you don’t know who’s knocking, don’t answer the door.
- Don’t let anyone into your home who claims to be a maintenance worker unless you have scheduled an appointment or unless the employee has shown proper identification. You can also call the company directly to verify.
- Don’t pay upfront for work being completed or goods being purchased.
- Never share personal or financial information to unknown individuals without properly verifying their identity, credibility, and reason for needing that information.
- Don’t feel pressured to hire someone or buy something. Scammers like to pressure you into making a quick decision so you can’t think it through or discuss with others. If you’re feeling stressed about deciding immediately, it’s a sign to pause.
- Remember, in North Carolina the buyer has the right to cancel a home-solicitation sale three business days after the purchase. And in the event you pay up front for goods, buyers also have the right to cancel when goods are not received within 30 days.
- If the sale feels too good to be true, it probably is. Don’t fall for it.
If you believe that you have been the victim of a scam, contact our office’s Consumer Protection Division at https://ncdoj.gov/file-a-complaint or 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.