Aggressive Alarm Salesmen Prowling Folsom Neighborhoods

FOLSOM, Calif. (CBS13) -- A rash of home break-ins over the Thanksgiving holiday have caused a spike in interest in home alarms, but a number of complaints have been filed against salesmen who are allegedly using deceptive tactics in door-to-door sales.

The City of Folsom reported 10 burglaries over the Thanksgiving week, and residents like Teresa Larson wanted to make sure their families were safe.

An alarm sales person showed up at Larson's front door with a timely pitch, she said.

"When they told me they were making an emphasis of getting our neighborhood updated because of the burglaries, that made sense to me," Larson said.

The salesman allegedly told her he was with her current security company, which had recently changed its name. She says she found out later that he was actually an independent contractor for a competitor.

"He actually put in a new system. The paper I thought authorized the new key fobs actually switched me to a new service company," Larson said.

Folsom police say half a dozen people so far have complained about deceptive salesmen conning anxious homeowners into purchasing new systems.

A Folsom-based security company owner, Olaf Kroettinger, said some security businesses cross the line when it comes to closing a deal.

"I wouldn't trust a lot of professionals in the security industry," Kroettinger said. "It's all about sales."

The contractor Larson encountered didn't want to talk with CBS13 when contacted Tuesday night and referred questions to his corporate office, which was unavailable for comment.

Larson said she was able to cancel her new system but now has no home alarm, and may have to spend more to get her old one back.

City officials said any residents who encounter salespeople should ask to see their pink card from the city with their picture on it.

Police are still trying to determine whether the incident Larson reported is actually a crime.