MCPD: Look Out for Fraudulent Alarm Sellers

As summer gets into full swing, more and more door-to-door salespeople are coming around Montgomery County homes, offering sales or service of security systems.

The Montgomery County Police Department's False Alarm Reduction Section is asking residents to keep a close eye on these seemingly harmless salespeople.

Some are honest, but others are impersonating officials from alarm companies, police say. They'll perform an "inspection" on your home, and then bill you for a service you didn't need. Some may even be casing your house for a future burglary, according to MCPD.

On June 19, a door-to-door alarm inspector told a Bethesda woman that her alarm company had gone under and that he needed to replace her alarm system at once, according to MCPD. Fortunately, the woman was able to call a representative from her alarm company, who explained that, no, they weren't out of business and that the man at the door was a fraud. The purported inspector left the neighborhood before police arrived, according to MCPD.

Police are advising residents looking to buy an alarm system to make sure any salesperson has a valid sales license from the State of Maryland. If you're unsure, you can call the False Alarm Reduction Section at 240-773-6300, and they'll check the license number for you.

If you want more information or you think you may have been the victim of alarm fraud, call the False Alarm Reduction Section for help.