Watch Out For Door-to-Door Scams

October 2019 Newsletter

Remember the duck test? “If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck.” The old saying is mostly true, but sometimes the ducks are actually weasels in disguise.
In recent months, Arvig has received multiple reports of people unaffiliated with the company contacting customers—by phone and door-to-door—with phony service offers.
 
If someone shows up with an offer to “check your boxes” or claims to be in your area “checking signal strength,” be suspicious. It’s common for scammers to impersonate companies, including Arvig.
 
What’s important to know is, there are big differences in how legitimate companies do business and the tactics these scammers use. Here’s how to spot the fakes and protect yourself.
 
Service calls
You can always contact Arvig if you need help. Our technicians are glad to do in-house service calls when necessary. But Arvig technicians don’t show up unannounced. An Arvig employee or vendor we contract with would not show up at your door without having first scheduled an appointment.
 
Sales offers
Occasionally, Arvig sales teams go door-to-door, but a legitimate salesperson would be wearing Arvig branded clothing, driving a vehicle with the Arvig logo and carrying branded Arvig business cards with their name, title and contact information. Arvig salespeople wouldn’t push a customer, demand to enter a home or make someone uncomfortable.
 
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Impostors might act and appear trustworthy, and they might even make offers that sound appealing, but con artists only act that way to deceive you and carry out their scam. Here’s what you can do to protect yourself.
 
Be suspicious of unusual offers. Don’t accept unsolicited offers of service. Don’t offer your personal information or payment. If you’re pressured to act quickly or if they demand an immediate, up-front payment it’s possible you are being scammed.
 
Report an impostor to the company. If you think you have been contacted by an impostor, report it to the company being impersonated. This will allow the company to notify other people and prevent further problems.
 
Call the company. Confirm independently whether a business is trying to contact you. You can use the customer service number or email address from invoices, account statements or online.
 
Just say no. If you receive an unsolicited offer for service or you are asked to divulge personal information, you are right to be suspicious. It’s OK to shut the door or hang up the call.
 
Contact the authorities. If you are in danger or think your safety is at risk, call 911.
 
Trusting fraudsters could result in stolen equipment, money, personal identities and in the worst case, physical harm. Be on the lookout for shady offers and unexpected visitors.

Updated: Sep 8, 2021