Dear neighbor,

There have been a few different emails circulating concerning potential sales scams in our neighborhoods over the past week.  We have some new information about one such situation (concerning Apex Alarm) from the New Castle County Police department.  I’ve attached an email below from the police dept sent to Councilman Robert S Weiner this morning.

This is not to say that all sales people that say they represent Apex Alarm (or any other business) are legitimate, but you should always ask to see identification, and their soliciting credentials (which they are required by law to have). 

If you have any questions, please contact the NCC Police department – Community Services Unit at (302) 395-8059.

Please share this information with your neighbors so that we can help protect our community.

Sincerely,

Joe Abele
Vice President – Darley Civic Association
107 Farm Ave.

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Sir,
 
Below is a portion of an email from an officer working the Brandywine Hundred district:
 
“On 062308 at 1700 hours I located two members of Apex Alarm soliciting in Northminster. I was able to determine that the company is valid and both subjects were in possession of picture identification issued by the Delaware State Police. The identification showed that these two men are employees of the aforementioned company, but I did explain that this did not entitle them to solicit in our neighborhoods. I directed them to 87 Reads Way to obtain proper soliciting credentials before returning. There are approximately 40 such solicitors from this company working in the North Wilmington area and these two gentleman advised they would all discontinue their practices until the proper credentials are secured.   “
 
 I will continue to monitor the situation as necessary. Please keep me apprised of any new information on your end.
 
Regards,
 
Corporal Amy M. Kevis
New Castle County Police
Community Services Unit
(302)395-8059
AKevis@nccde.org

From: "S.S.P."
Subject: Indian Field - Bogus Salesmen
Date: Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:34:08 +0000

Please warn folks about bogus salespeople for Apex Alarm.  They go door to door attempting to sell you wireless security systems but want to get in your house to look at your layout.  I have checked internet and they are a scam.  I have notified NCC police.

Sally Palmer  1 North Trail

From: Kristin Short
Sent: Sunday, June 22, 2008 10:14 PM
Subject: Re: Indian Field - Bogus Salesmen

This has also occurred recently in Windybush.  A resident told Bryon and I today that she came home to find them in her house with her husband who had fallen for it.  She ripped up the paperwork and told them to leave.  Another group were also recently in Brandywood.  One person was told the the yound man was the son of the Johnsons on the next street and he got $10 for a donation.  The resident found out later that there are no Johnsons on the next street over.

Lets all work together to warn our neighbors about this activity.  There is a rash of it going on and hopefully we can get rid of these scam artists.  Also, if they knock on your door, call your neighbors and warn them (especially elderly neighbors who are vulnerable) and ask them to do the same.  You can also call the New Castle County police.

Kristin Short

Hi all,

This evening Kristin Short sent out an email to a few neighbors about a possible scam hitting our neighborhoods today.

Please review the following note, and pass the word around to your neighbors as well.  This email is only going to about 30 households for which we have email addresses.

Sincerely,

Joe Abele
Vice President
Darley Civic Association

From: Kristin Short
Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2008 7:31 PM
Subject: Notify Neighborhood about scam

Hi, does anyone on the civic association have a list of e-mails for the neighbors?  It may be too late but I want to warn people abotu a door-to-door scam.  It is a kid who has a very elaborate and clever pitch which ends with him selling you magazines.  I searched the company online and it is a scam.

I know he hit a lot of doors in Highland Woods today and got a few people.  Anyway, please pass this information to your neighbors and tell them not to fall for it. 

Oh, and he said his grandparents live in the neighborhood which in the end was the one thing I maybe thought he might be telling the truth about.  I think he said they lived at 100 Farm Avenue. 

Kristin Short