We are all well aware of the fact that consumers are not immune to scams and fraudulent activity. It follows then that scams and other fraudulent activities involving burglar alarms are no exception to the rule. All homeowners have concerns regarding protecting their families and homes from being victimized by a burglar, so they look to installing these alarms to ensure the safety and security of both. The following are some tips to consider in order to protect yourself from being victimized by any burglar alarms scams that are out there.
One of the first indicators of a possible burglar alarms scam is either the door-to-door salesperson or the telemarketer. Typically, these run rampant during the summer months when the weather is more cooperative. There are also a number of things that you want to be aware of according to what consumer-protection and law enforcement officials say. Be wary of any salesperson or telemarketer who:
- attempts to create fear by telling you about a rash of burglaries that have recently occurred in your particular neighborhood
- claims that they represent certain companies or are wearing clothing with the logos of major burglar alarms manufacturers such as GE or Honeywell (these firms do not sell their products directly to the consumer and do not do door-to-door sales)
- tries to enter your home without your consent
- free system offers which in reality have contracts attached and significantly higher monitoring service fees involved to cover the cost of the system and installing it
- states that the company can install your burglar alarms immediately without any type of home security inspection being conducted first
- states that your current home security system is no longer in business
Remember first and foremost that you should only contact and deal with companies that are well-established and reputable. Check with government agencies that have jurisdiction over companies that sell and install burglar alarms.
Insist on checking the past history and records of these companies before contacting them. Additionally, it never hurts to check with the BBB (Better Business Bureau) and inquire if there have been any complaints lodged against them as well as how many there are on record. Look for a reputable company that operates in your local area and try to avoid dealing with any burglar alarms providers that are located out of town as they will most likely charge you for their travel time as well.
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