Residents alarmed by book salesman’s methods

DECATUR - Door-to-door salespersons who do not carry proper credentials or conduct themselves in a professional manner can give all sales representatives who go from door todoor a bad name and cause area residents to become alarmed.

Recently, several Decatur, Gentry, Siloam Springs and Benton County residents were approached by a door-to-door salesman offering children’s books. And, according to some, his sales pitch caused themto fear his intentions involved criminal activity.

Heather Thompson, of Decatur, was approached by a salesman and recounts that a man came up and knocked on the door and introduced himselfas an education student from Vanderbilt University in Tennessee.

She said she told him she wasn’t interested, but he was very pushy and wouldn’t leave when she asked him. He also wanted to know where the other kids in the neighborhood lived, which made her uncomfortable, Thompson explained.

“I was a little apprehensive about him. The only identification he had on him was an easily-made name badge,” Thompson said.

The salesman did not have any brochures or paperwork from the company but did have some sample books in his backpack, according to Thompson. He had a list highlighting who he had talked to that day, but several of the people he claimed to have talked to were teachers, so Thompson questioned how he could have spoken to them while school was in session.

Decatur Police Chief Terry Luker said his offi ce received at least six calls concerning such salespeople. Siloam Springs and Gentry police departments also received calls about the sales pitch.

Captain Geoff Lewis, of the Siloam Springs Police Department, said his offi ce received several calls concerning a rumor that this salesman was involved in human traffi cking.

Joe Garrett, Siloam Springs Police Chief, said, “While we encourage our citizens to be vigilant and safety minded, just because it is posted on Facebook, does not make it true. Before forwarding or sharing a link or story, citizens may wish to conduct an online search to determine the validity or verify the source,” he suggested.

Siloam Springs, Gentry and Gravette all have laws that require door-todoor salespeople soliciting within their cities to have a permit. Decatur has no such requirements.

The Benton County Sheriff’s office located andinterviewed the Decatur salesman in question and found him to be legitimate.

When approached by door-to-door salespeople, residents should check credentials before committing to any transaction, police say. Ask for photo or company identifi cation, city permits, product literature and written endorsements, police suggest. Resident can also ask for a telephone number to verify the information provided by the salesperson.

Police also suggested that residents never give out any personal information to anyone without verifying their legitimacy.

If there is any question about a salesperson’s claims, or if a salesperson refuses to leave without obtaining personal or neighborhood information, calling police is suggested as the safest action to take.

Police also request that residents report any scams or suspicious activity, along with a date, time and description of the persons and vehicles involved.

News, Pages 1 on 09/04/2013