Transient Merchants

Original Post: Spring 2007
Current: 2009

The Oak Creek Police Department experiences a higher number of complaints regarding transient merchants or “door-to-door soliciting” during the warmer months. Many of those soliciting goods and products are legitimate, however, many are not. Be aware that there are several scams that residents fall victim to every year. Roofing and driveway sealing scams are the most common (see our link “Roofing Contractor Scam Alert”). In addition, many solicitors claiming to be home improvement companies have been found to be fraudulent.

Protect yourself and your family from “scam artists” by keeping a few tips in mind:

• Be wary of anyone selling products door-to-door.
• Ask to see their City-issued I.D. – Oak Creek Municipal Code requires all persons soliciting door-to-door to be licensed by the City in addition to displaying a City-issued photo I.D. Non-profit and charitable organizations are not required to be licensed, but must be registered at the Police Department.
• Ask to see a company I.D. – Does their vehicle have a company insignia? Does the company insignia match the one on their I.D.?
• Don’t let anyone into your home!
• If you are interested in their products or services, do your homework first! Always get at least two written estimates from local businesses before authorizing any work. Ask for the names of references, and then call them. Use available resources (i.e., Better Business Bureau) to check out the company.
• Use common sense—if the deal is “too good to be true”, it usually is!

IF YOU ENCOUNTER SOMEONE YOU SUSPECT IS TRYING TO DEFRAUD YOU, TELL THEM “NO”, CLOSE THE DOOR, AND CALL THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IMMEDIATELY AT 414-762-8200.