AARP Fraud Alert: Door to door sales scams

Summer is officially here which means door-to-door sales crews are too. But buyer beware, because what they’re selling isn’t always legit.

Be cautious anytime a stranger comes knocking, especially if the visitor is trying to sell you goods or services. Be wary of contractors who say they stopped by because they just happened to be in the neighborhood. They might even offer you a free roof inspection.

One thing to remember is that good contractors are usually too busy to roam around in search of work. And any deal that you can only get if you sign up immediately or pay for in advance – is not a deal at all. Your best bet is to proactively seek out the services you need and tell the next person who shows up at your door that you don’t do business that way.

Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam. Visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at http://www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork or call the AARP Fraud Watch Helpline at 1-877-908-3360.