HONOLULU – Hawaii’s Better Business Bureau® (BBB) is warning consumers to be wary of home alarm services sold door-to-door. BBB has reports of local alarm companies Lifeline Fire and Security, Security Alarm Shop, and Security One, Inc. being fraudulently represented in door-to-door sales pitches. Hawaii’s BBB is also investigating Max Alarm, a Mainland home security company actively marketing door-to-door in the state.
“Every summer door-to-door alarm salesmen hit the pavement and every summer BBB sees an increase of inquiries from consumers who want to check them out,” said Dwight Kealoha, chief executive officer of Hawaii’s BBB. “But this particular company caught our attention—first because of a spike in its number of inquiries and then because of complaints alleging Max Alarm sales reps were impersonating local companies.”
Hawaii’s BBB has received 330 inquiries about Max Alarm since the beginning of June; six times more than during the previous eight-week period. “Inquiries and complaints about Max Alarm indicate its sales reps don’t clearly identify who they’re working for, provide a business card or offer local contact information,” said Kealoha. “They also use dishonest sales practices by impersonating or falsely claiming affiliation with the consumers’ existing alarm company.”
Lifeline Fire and Security is one local alarm company whose customers have been approached by imposters. A current Lifeline customer in Kailua filed a complaint with Hawaii’s BBB stating that a salesman arrived at her door “saying he was from Max Alarm, and they are now Lifeline.” The sales rep then told the homeowner that he needed to make some changes to her existing system and asked her to sign a new contract.
With a growing number of similar accounts from its customers, Lifeline employee Gary Putnam turned to Hawaii’s BBB to warn consumers about sales people masquerading as local alarm companies. Alleging the fraudulent use of its name and misleading its customers, Lifeline has also filed a complaint against Max Alarm with BBB. Max Alarm also has a pending complaint with the state Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs regarding unlicensed activities.
Hawaii’s BBB offers the following advice to avoid becoming a victim of deceptive door-to-door alarm salespeople:
- Ask for a business card, identification or document showing their name and the company’s contact information.
- If claiming to represent your current alarm company, call it to verify the employee’s name and purpose of the visit.
- Federal law allows consumers a three-day cooling off period to cancel purchases of $25 or more that are made in their home or another location that is not the seller’s permanent place of business.
- Deal only with reputable businesses. If you are unfamiliar with a company, check its BBB Reliability Report before you do business with them.
If you believe you were a victim of dishonest sales practices,
file a complaint with Hawaii’s BBB. For more advice on keeping your home and personal property safe, visit
www.bbb.org.
Established in 1945, Hawaii’s Better Business Bureau® (BBB) is the local authority on trust in the marketplace. BBB is an unbiased, nonprofit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Only businesses and charities that meet and adhere to BBB standards can receive BBB accreditation. Hawaii’s BBB provides objective advice, free business and charity reports, and educational resources on topics affecting marketplace trust. BBB also offers fair and timely dispute resolution programs for consumers and businesses. BBB resources are available online at
www.bbb.org.