Door to Door ScamsConsumer Affairs Branch

Fairfax County Department ofCable and Consumer Services

fairfaxcounty.gov/consumer

Solicitor’s LicenseFAIRFAX COUNTY REQUIRES THAT PEDDLERS AND SOLICITORS BE LICENSED BEFORE THEY SOLICIT DOOR TO DOOR

Solicitors are required to show you their license.

They may not solicit at a residence which posts a “No Peddlers or Solicitors” sign.

They may solicit only between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.

In addition, they must leave the premises immediately if you ask them to leave.

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Who’s Knocking at Your Door?

Solicitors offer a wide variety of goods and services for sale. Solicitors may be selling or “setting appointments” for high speed Internet, cable services, home improvements, home security alarms, magazine subscriptions, lawn or tree services, or coupon books.

No matter what goods or services are being offered, the solicitor is required to have a license.

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Who’s Knocking at Your Door?

Legitimately licensed solicitors should always show their Fairfax County issued license when a prospective customer asks to see it.

The Solicitor’s License is an individual license, not a business license. If a solicitor tells you that their business has a license, the solicitor may not be properly licensed in Fairfax County.

If the solicitor does not have a license, call Fairfax County Police immediately to report the violation: 703-691-2131

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Ask to See a Solicitor’s License

Virginia Home Solicitation Sales Act

When solicited at home, Know your rights before you make a purchase or sign a contract in person, by phone, fax or email

The Virginia Home Solicitation Sales act applies if you are solicited to purchase goods or services at your residence.

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Virginia Home Solicitation Sales Act

As a consumer in Virginia, you have the right to cancel a home solicitation contract until the third business day after the purchase.

The seller must provide you with a fully completed receipt if the sale is by cash or credit card and a copy of the contract minus any blank spaces.

The receipt or contract must inform you of your right to cancel. However, sales of less than $25 or resulting from prior negotiations between the parties are exempt from this law.

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Buyer’s Right to Cancel

A Buyer’s Right to Cancel should appear as a conspicuous caption on the front side of the receipt or contract, or immediately above the buyer’s signature, in bold face type with a minimum size of 10 points. The cancellation notice should be clearly stated in writing and must contain the following information:

To cancel this transaction, mail or deliver a signed and dated copy of this cancellation notice or any other written notice, or send a telegram to (name of seller), at (address of seller) no later than midnight of (date).I hereby cancel this transaction.

 (Date) (Buyer’s signature)__________________

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Buyer’s Right to Cancel

the buyer requests the seller to provide goods or services without delay because of an emergency;

the buyer’s emergency request clearly states in writing that the buyer understands that he is waiving his right to cancel the sale;

a substantial beginning of the performance of the contract is made by the seller before the buyer gives notice of cancellation;

the goods are not in as good condition as when they were received by the buyer.

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The contract may not be canceled if:

Within 10 days after a home solicitation sale has been canceled or voided, the seller must refund any payments made by the buyer.

Any down payment of goods traded in, must be returned in substantially as good condition as when received by the seller.

If the seller fails to return the goods traded by the buyer, the buyer may recover its equivalent monetary value as stated in the agreement.

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When to Expect a Refund?

The buyer is not obligated to return the goods to the seller at any place other than his residence;

If the seller does not demand possession of goods within 20 days after cancellation or revocation, the goods become the property of the buyer without obligation to pay for them;

The buyer has the duty to take reasonable care of the goods before cancellation or revocation, and for the reasonable time during which the goods are at the seller’s risk.

The seller is not entitled to compensation for services performed prior to the end of the cancellation period.

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Returning the Items to the Seller

If the purchase was made from a seller or his agent who failed to immediately identify himself/herself as a seller or misrepresents the nature of the solicitation, the buyer has 30 days to cancel the home solicitation sales contract.

A violation of any provision of the Virginia Home Solicitation Sales Act is subject to any and all of the enforcement provisions under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act.

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30 Days to Cancel

Fraudulent Solicitation Scams

BEWARE OF CHARITABLE TELEPHONE SOLICITATIONS, E-MAILS AND SCAM WEB SITES EXPLOITING PUBLIC SYMPATHY

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If you are solicited by a charity, don’t feel rushed or pressured into making an immediate contribution. Ask the caller or solicitor to provide written information about the charity’s programs and finances before you make a contribution.

“Deadlines” are red flags for scams.

When making a contribution, use a check (do not give cash), and make it out to the organization, not the individual collecting the donation.

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Tips to Avoid Scams

Never give your credit card account information online or over the telephone in response to a telephone solicitation. It could be misused, resulting in identity theft.

Do not respond to unsolicited SPAM e-mails. They may contain viruses. Legitimate charities do not solicit by e-mail.

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Tips to Avoid Scams

Any charity that is soliciting in Virginia must register with the state. You may want to obtain an independent verification of the telephone solicitor’s identity before sending a contribution by contacting the State Office of Consumer Affairs, Richmond, VA at 1-800-552-9963.

You may also contact the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance at www.give.org to confirm whether a charity is legitimate.

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Check Out the Charity

If you have questions concerning work being performed on your trees, contact the Fairfax County Forest Conservation Branch: 703-324-1770.

A qualified arborist or tree care company can help you decide how to best care for your trees or when a tree should be cut down.

When hiring a contractor, check for memberships in professional organizations and look for companies that employ certified arborists. You can check for certification online at: www.treesaregood.com

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Fairfax County Forest Conservation Branch

Ask for proof of insurance. This includes personal and property damage, as well as worker’s compensation.

Get more than one estimate and don’t always accept the lowest bid.

Make sure to get the contract in writing and read it carefully. Does the contract cover everything promised?

Beware of individuals who go door-to-door offering bargains.

fairfaxcounty.gov/consumer

Hiring an Arborist or Tree Care Company

The Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation works to protect all consumers, but focuses its efforts especially on fraud and discrimination against older Virginians. Senior citizens are often potential targets for unscrupulous business practices:

Construction and home repair

Fair housing

Hearing aid specialists

Cemeteries and pre-need burial contracts

Opticians

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DPOR’s Hotline for Older Virginians

If you have been a victim of fraud or discrimination: DPOR will investigate, discipline licensees who violate regulations, criminally charge unlicensed offenders, and even provide restitution for financial losses in certain cases.

For more information, call the DPOR Hotline for Older Virginians: (804) 367-2178

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DPOR’s Hotline for Older Virginians

Contact the Fairfax County Consumer Affairs Branch for more information:

12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 433Fairfax, Virginia 22035703-222-8435 TTY 711

www.fairfaxcounty.gov/consumerconsumer@fairfaxcounty.gov

fairfaxcounty.gov/consumer

Contact Consumer Affairs