He’s back. A door-to-door magazine salesman is making the rounds of the neighborhood again. We just got these two reports in the last hour:
Just had some fellow come to my door (Latona Ave NE) trying to get me to pick a magazine subscription so he could win a trip. The operation seemed a little shady – wanted to know what I did for a living because people in the neighborhood were suppose to ‘inspire’ him.
and
just got a door to door magazine salesman just came by (interlake ave n and south of 40th). male, white, around 18~21, 6’2″ ish, light colored eyes, backwards hat, fairly fit physique, tattoo on left arm, backwards baseball cap, navy sweatshirt, light baggy jeans. i talked to him a bit and almost bought a magazine, but then decided not to.
Long-time readers will remember from our Someone’s at the door and Door-to-door ladies stories that this is a common scam. We strongly advise you to not to give money.
Even better, tell him “sorry, everyone in the neigbhorhood is already on to you, because we read Wallyhood!” Maybe he’ll stop ringing bells around here.
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Late this morning, there were three people (one middle-age woman and two men in their 20s) came to my door (near 44th & Midvale). They didn't knock and I didn't approach the door, but I could see them from my kitchen towards the back of the house. If they had knocked, my dog surely would've barked his head off until I got there. I found it odd that they didn't knock, but they left after a couple minutes.
Last year it was a black male in his 40s and white male in his 20s that tag teamed the street on a Wednesday afternoon midday (when people are home?). Peeping behind a window, I saw the black male knock on the house across the street, look around, and then try the handle.
My advice: ASK WHETHER THEY HAVE A SOLICITOR's LICENSE which is required and if not, point out that the POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING FALSE SOLICITOR's in the area, if only to spook them.
If you have a NO SOLICITOR sign and they come to your door anyway, you are allowed to call 911 which I verified with a police officer last year.
I'm reposting my comment from “door-to-door ladies” because I think we need to do more than just blow them off, we need to collect info:
“I had perhaps the same woman (black, fairly tall, with shoulder length hair tied back) yesterday around noon. (Gee, isn't that when everyone's home?) I'm kicking myself now because i brushed her harshly and quickly. In retrospect, I should have done something like the following:
Say to her,”Before I consider your appeal can I see your solicitor's permit? (of course she won't have one) So then I'd say something like, “Well I once got scammed out of some money because I didn't ask for ID, so I'd feel better if I could at least see your driver's license?” (Ask nice and innocently with a hint that maybe if she complies, she'll get some money from you.) Then, before giving it back, snap a picture of her and her ID with my cell phone which i would have at the ready. If she takes offense, just reassure her, “Don't take it personally, but I just do this now with all solicitors. That way, if any houses on my block get robbed, I can point the cops in the right direction.”
We need to start taking pictures/video of these people…”