Homeowners: Be On The Lookout for Door-to-Door Scam Artists

Law enforcement officials are reporting that scam artists are going door-to-door ripping off residents with a deceptive sales pitch.

Victims say these con artists are posing as door-to-door salespeople or representatives of existing alarm companies.  The scammers convince people to pay for “upgrades” to their services.

These often expensive upgrades are actually simply a transfer of an account to the scammer’s company and results in huge undisclosed fees.

If you are suspicious that someone may be attempting to scam you, calmly collect their information and contact your local law enforcement office as soon as possible.

How to Spot a Scam Artist

Not all door-to-door salespeople are scammers and it’s important that you can tell the difference between a legitimate representative of your alarm company and a phony.

Here is how you can tell the difference:

• A legitimate company will call you for an appointment, not walk door-to-door.

• Ask For A License – All alarm company employees are required by law to have an Alarm Company Employee (ACE) license. This means that they have undergone a complete Department of Justice background check, fingerprint scan, and are required to follow a strict set of operating procedures. If you are approached by someone that does not have their license with them, it’s a good bet that they are a scammer.

• Research Their Company – If you are buying a new system or transferring your alarm monitoring, research the company the salesperson works for before buying anything. Check out their website and make sure that they are legitimate. Never be pressured into buying an alarm system or monitoring without first doing the proper research.

• Examine The Salesperson – Are they wearing the uniform from the company they claim to work for? Do they claim to be from Honeywell or GE (alarm manufacturers) instead of the actual company you have security services with? If you have any reason to doubt their credentials, contact your security company directly and ask about the person you talked to.

How to Protect Yourself

We see similar things with door-to-door magazine scams.  In both cases, don’t let a suspicious salesperson into your home.  A con artist will try their best to gain entry into your home.  Don’t fall for any tricks, flattery or deceptions.

This is especially important during any holidays.  People tend to put their guard down during holidays such as Christmas, the Fourth of July and Thanksgiving.

Senior Magazine Online has a number of good tips for dealing with phony door-to-door salespeople, and these tips aren’t just for senior citizens.

• Never pay for services in cash
• Never make checks out to a person. It should be to a company
• Most reputable businesses can bill you later in the mail
• Don’t be pressured into some “fantastic” deal

For other types of door-to-door scams read How to Identify Door to Door Scams.  You’ll learn about other types of scams con artists attempt on unsuspecting homeowners.

Don’t risk getting scammed. Immediately report any suspicious contact with door-to-door alarm salespeople to police and help protect your neighbors from these criminals.

Security Companies Work Hard at Building Relationships with Law Enforcement Officials

Most security companies understand the value of maintaining strong alliances with law enforcement officials.

Some of the proactive ways companies like California’s best electronic security alarm company take to strengthen their partnerships with law enforcement include:

• Initiating programs in conjunction with law enforcement officials to reduce false alarms
• Working with law enforcement to make more arrests
• Becoming involved in community policing activities
• Participating in educational events
• Forging strong relationships with chiefs, sheriffs and alarm coordinators

Security company relationships with law enforcement officials are making progress and are stronger than ever. If you have any questions about the industry’s efforts at developing strong relationships with law enforcement officials, please contact Rich Whitlock here at Hue & Cry Security.

Survey Shows Police Believe Electronic Alarms Valuable Crime Deterrent

More than 90 percent of senior law enforcement officials believe that electronic security alarm systems are a useful and valuable crime deterrent, according to a survey published by Security Sales and Integration and Police Magazines.

Furthermore, the study showed a whopping 9 out of 10 law enforcement officials believe electronic security systems prevent or reduce property loss.

It is clear security experts recognize the value of electronic security systems.

The survey, 2011 Law Enforcement and Alarm Relationship Study, is published periodically by the two magazines mentioned above.

See the 2006 study results here.

See the 2003 study results here.

How To Avoid False Alarms

There is nothing worse than having to respond to a false alarm at your businesses because a security alarm was triggered.

False alarms are annoying and more importantly cost businesses time and money. Some cities are giving out fines to businesses that have numerous false alarms.  Fines can range anywhere from a few hundred dollars into the thousands.

To help prevent false alarms with your business security system, we recommend following the tips below.

1. Have Your System Professionally Checked – It is important to have your business security system provider test your system from time to time. This helps to identify and fix any problems before they happen. We recommend having your system check at least once a year.

2. Test Your System – You also should regularly test your system yourself at least once a month. Be sure to notify your security system provider before doing any tests. Be sure to check that all functions of your security system are properly working.

2. Make Sure Employees Have Alarm Code – Be sure to give the alarm code to employees, who arrive to work early so they can disarm the security system. If you are hesitant on giving your employees the code, create company policies that regulate office hours.

3. Familiarize Yourself With The Alarm – Sometimes a business owner may be unsure how to effectively operate the security system. If this is the case, contact your business security system provider to help teach you how to use the system. Also, look at the literature that comes with the system.

4.  Make Sure The Backup Battery Is Working – Sometimes the backup battery in your security system may be old. Be sure the backup battery is working. Often times, your security system provider will check it during the regular inspection process. This is something you should check during your monthly inspection.

5. Keep Sensors Clean – If you have motion sensors, be sure they are clean and do not have any dust. Also do not have any hanging object near the sensor that may set them off. Also look for any loose wiring. Contact your security system provider if repairs are needed.

Following these tips will help prevent false alarms and keep your business safe. Remember to have your system regularly tested. And if you are unsure about anything, contact your security system provider.

Tips On Selecting The Right Burglar Alarm System For Your Family

The stats don’t lie. A nationwide survey showed that police believe that home security systems help deter burglary attempts.

Another survey showed that homes with a security system are three times less likely to be burglarized than a home without one. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, there were an estimated 2.2 million burglaries in the United States in 2009.

To protect your family and possessions against burglaries, a home security system is a great deterrent.  With alarm monitoring 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, a burglar will think twice before entering a home equipped with a security system.

Talk with any police office and you’ll hear that burglars are looking for easy targets. They are looking for homes with unlocked doors or other easy access points that would give them easy access.

Take a look at any police blotter in a newspaper and you will see countless burglaries. Computers, jewelry, television and other valuable possession are daily stolen out of homes.

When selecting a home security system, you will want to make sure the company you choose has the following qualities:

• Honest service to the customer
• Personalized security system design
• Reliable use of quality products
• Professional trustworthy installation
• Conscientious responsiveness to your needs after installation

It’s important to find the right home security system provider because you want the system to fit your needs, lifestyle and family. A professional home security provider can work with you to make sure your needs are being met.

Make Your New House Safe With These Home Security Tips

When you first move into a new house, it’s important that you take steps to make it secure as soon as possible. The longer you wait, there more chance there is of someone breaking in and stealing you belongings.

We’ve compiled this helpful list of things to do when moving into a new house:

• Change The Locks – It’s always a good idea to change the locks (and garage code if you have one) upon moving in to a new home. You never know who was given keys in the past and it’s better safe than sorry.

• Invest In Quality Locks – Since you’re buying new locks anyways, you might as well get good ones. Check with a qualified locksmith to determine the best locks for you.

• Get Extra Security For Your Doors - Use additional deadbolt locks, door strikes, secure door hinges, and sturdy doors to add extra protection to all entrances to your home.

• Install Impact Resistant Glass – A common way for burglars to enter your home is by breaking the glass near a door and reaching their hand in to unlock the door. By using impact resistant glass you can prevent this from happening.

• Reinforce Your Garage – Install locks on the garage door or use only automatic garage door openers so that thieves can’t simply pull the door open.

• Get Your Home Security System Running – A good home security system is a vital part of keeping you safe from burglars. If there is not already a system installed and operating, contact a home alarm system near you to set one up right away.

How To Protect Your Home While You’re Away

A burglar’s first priority when casing a new home to burglarize is finding a place where no one is around. They know that if they enter a house that is occupied, there’s a good chance that they will be discovered and reported to the police. Rather than risk it, most have simply learned to spot the signs that no one is home and only go after those houses.

That’s why home burglaries are most likely to occur while you’re on vacation and no one is looking after your house. It’s during these times that newspapers and fliers pile up, nobody checks the mail, and lights never seem to turn on. This serves as a beacon to burglars looking for an easy target.

If you are planning to go on vacation or be away for any other reason, here are some easy steps you can take to make your home more secure:

Tell a Trusted Neighbor – Even if you don’t need anything done, let a neighbor you can trust know you’ll be gone. That way, if they see anything odd around your house they will know to call the police.

Have Mail And Newspapers Picked Up – Pausing your mail or newspaper can be a sure sign to burglars that you’re gone. Instead, have a close friend or trusted neighbor pick them up each day and hold on to them for you until you get back. If you’ll be gone during garbage/recycle pick up, ask them to take your bin to and from the curb also.

Have Your Calls Forwarded – Some crafty burglars will call your home number to check if you’re home. If you can have calls forwarded to your cell, you will make them think you’re home just by picking up the phone.

Get Your Lawn Maintained – People who are gone for long periods of time often forget how quickly their lawn can grow. Have a friend or lawn maintenance company keep your lawn looking good while you’re away.

Keep Your Alarm System Running – Don’t forget that a good home alarm system is your best line of defense against burglars. Before you leave on your trip, make sure that your home security system is in good working order and that you arm it as you leave.

Home Security Solutions To Prevent Burglary

According to the FBI, someone’s house, apartment, or condo is burglarized every 15 seconds, in the United States.

It’s for that exact reason that so many people choose to purchase a home security system to keep their home and family safe.

However, a security system isn’t the only way to prevent burglary. By combining your home security system with the measures listed here, you’ll increase your chances of stopping burglars from entering your home.

The average criminal is looking for four things when they case a house. Those things are:

Valuable stuff to steal (TVs, Appliances, Jewelry, Etc.).

1. An easy way to enter and exit the house without being seen.
2. Nobody at the home.
3. No active security system.

If they can establish those four things, they will feel comfortable that they can steal your stuff and get away without being caught.

With that in mind, it’s not difficult to set up your home so that it’s not in a criminal’s best interest to target you.

• Make your home look occupied at all times. You can do this by:

• Using automatic timers on lights and radios so they are visible and audible throughout the day while you’re away.

• Make sure your home phone cannot be heard from outside.

• Always park in the garage and leave the garage door closed. This way criminals can’t spot a pattern and figure out when you’re away.

• Leave your valuable belongings out of view and keep windows closed.

• Install motion detector lights and good lighting all around your house.

• Remove or keep all hedges and shrubs well trimmed around your house. This way there will be no place for a burglar to hide.

• Keep your security system active and well maintained at all times.

Don’t forget to consult your home burglar security alarm systems provider for more information.

Business Security For Your Home Office

As more and more people work from home – either through telecommuting or because they run their own small business – the concept of business home security is becoming more and more important.

After all, if you’re at home, but also at your business, which type of protection do you really need?

The answer is you need a little of both. Since you are in a private residence, you’ll technically need a home security system rather than business security solutions. However, since you are also in a place of business, you’ll want to take some additional security measures that most homes do not need.

You’ll want to make sure that in addition to a well-maintained security alarm, you have deadbolts on all doors and also that you keep windows and other possible entry points locked. Also be careful to not leave the spare key under the doormat or in a vase where anyone can find it.

Pay extra attention to whom you give a key to. Providing keys to multiple employees can be potentially dangerous, and so you will want to be sure you can really trust someone before they get a key.

Finally, natural surveillance is helpful for deterring would-be thieves. By keeping your home office well lit, clearing away shrubs or areas where someone can hide, and taking steps to show that it will be difficult to break-in without being seen, you significantly decrease your risk of break-ins.

Be sure to mention your home office to a security professional for additional ways to stay protected.

Outlining Your Security Goals

Before selecting an alarm system to protect your home or business, it’s always a good idea to carefully consider what your exact goals are for your security. Not everyone has the same needs when it comes to security and there is no one-size fits all response.

While a good security technician will help you walk through these goals more precisely, understanding them yourself can go a long way to getting the system you want. Ultimately, the time you take to consider your goals today can save you a lot of money in the long run while keeping your family or business safe and protected.

Before buying any home security system or business security system, ask yourself these questions:

How much protection do I really want?

While the top-of-the-line alarm system promises to give you a very high level of protection, it’s not for everybody. These higher end systems cost a lot more and can be overkill for many people.

If you are buying from a reputable security alarm company, any of the systems they offer you will be reliable and capable of protecting your home of business. It’s up to you whether you want to spring for the extra bells and whistles of the higher end systems.

How important is ease of use?

Not all security systems are equal when it comes to being easy to use. More complicated systems, which are still quite easy to use for adults, can cause problems if children will be using the alarm.

A system may be more complicated because of the additional features it offers, but if you have kids or anyone who might not be able to use a more complicated system, it’s a good idea to find an easy system that anyone can learn.

Can I trust my security company?

The most important step when it comes to setting up a reliable security system is selecting the best company to install, maintain, and monitor your system.

Selecting the right company can make the difference between keeping your family safe and having a break-in. Professionals know all of the security tricks and will help you choose the exact right system for you. You can also trust that the best company will install your system correctly and provide excellent monitoring services.

Before making your decision, research the company and talk to other customers to get their opinions. Make sure that the company has a long history of success, and that they guarantee their work against problems. If a company is willing to put their money where their mouth is, that’s a good sign that they are true professionals.