Dedicated to presenting the violent, destructive, greedy and criminal acts
that have turned the Traveling Sales Industry
into a National Tragedy
"He who profits by a crime commits it."
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Wisconsin, Minnesota, Indiana, Nebraska, Iowa Residents Beware:
Traveling Door-to-Door Magazine Sales Crews
April 23, 2010
Update: April 25, 2010
Traveling Sales Crews Operating in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, Nebraska, Iowa.
The vermin have been spotted selling books and
magazines door to door in Duluth Minnesota, Whitewater and Hartland Wisconsin,
Minnesota, Indiana, and Iowa. Be on the lookout and by all means DO
NOT let a magazine salesman into your home.
If a magazine salesman knocks at your door call the police immediately!!!
We are receiving numerous news feeds on crimes being committed all across the country.
A Colorado woman was bilked out of $1900.00 by a traveling door-to-door magazine salesman on April 14, 2010 and an Anne
Arundel County woman was just raped by a door-to-door magazine salesman working
for Paragon Sales a.k.a. Midwest Clearing on April 20, 2010. On April 24, 2010 in Michigan City Indiana two elderly women
were robbed after allowing a door-to-door saleswoman into their homes. One
elderly woman had her wallet stolen, while the other woman was missing her check book.
Update: May 9, 2010
Traveling Sales Crews Operating in Illinois, Connecticut, New Mexico, New York,
Oregon, Virginia, Arizona, Massachusetts.
On April 26, 2010 a magazine salesman working for Discover Unlimited Possibilities A.K.A.: URBAN NATION
ENTERTAINMENT was arrested and charged with solicitaion violations. When the police arrested
the magazine salesman they found stolen mail in his possession.
On May 7, 2010 two magazine salesmen working for Urban Development Solutions were arrested for burgulary in Connecticut.
On the same day a magazine salesman was arrested and charged with sexual
assault of a 16 year old girl in Bantam Connecticut.
On May 8, 2010 a magazine salesman was arrested and charged with raping a woman in Dekalb County, Illinois. For further
information on crimes being committed in your area
please review 'Breaking News' on this page.
Washington DC Teens, avoid these jobs in 2010 2010 Worker Rights
Teens, avoid these jobs in 2010
National Consumer League
DOOR TO DOOR SALES: SCAM OR SURVIVAL?
(SECRETS OF LIFE ON THE ROAD)
Shauna's Story
When I was asked to write about my experiences, thoughts, and feelings
during my two years on a magazine crew, the only thing I could think was,
“I have TWO YEARS worth of experiences under my belt!! You want me to talk about everything?!” After
doing something like that for a certain amount of time, you start to have mixed
emotions, but I’ll do my bestso here I go.
I was a couple of weeks away from turning nineteen. My job was only giving me about fifteen hours a week, I was having major
family problems at home, and I couldn’t find another job to save my
life. So at this point, I thought my life was pretty screwed up. After weeks of constantly searching the classifieds, I saw an ad that
I hadn’t seen before, “TRAVEL JOB!! TRAVEL THE
COUNTRY SELLING BLACK BOOKS AND MAGAZINES IN A HIP-HOP ENVIRONMENT. HIGH COMMISSION
+DAILY BONUSES+ON THE JOB TRAINING. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!!” I read it again, and my first
thought was,
“problem solved”. As soon as I read the number, I immediately called. The manager told me that they sell books
and magazines door to door. He said it was completely safe because each
female was paired with a male. He went on to explain that they stayed in “nice” hotels, and I would even be
getting daily cash advances called draws. It seemed like the perfect job. He
asked me if I was at least eighteen and able to travel, I told him yes, and he told me I could start as soon as tomorrow. I was so
happy, you could have slapped me, and I probably would have let you
get away with it!! He made a little small talk, I guess to make me feel comfortable, and told me that he and his group were
touring in Connecticut, and he would send for me by greyhound bus. I was so
desperate to get out of North Carolina; I didn’t even contemplate how weird it was, like there was no application or
anything. I can say my family was very much against it, but all I knew was I
was getting away from them, and I’ll be making money in the process. I put in a two weeks’ notice at my other
job, and when that was up, I called the manager to let him know I was ready.
He told me when to go to the bus station, and sure enough, he had sent my ticket. I said good-bye to my grandmother, and
twenty hours later, I was getting off the bus in Hartford, CT. When the
manager came to pick me up, he had on a clean pin-stripe suit, and was driving a fairly new, nice looking Cadillac. All I could
think was, “oh yeah, I’m about to get paid”. I
remember the drive took about fifteen or twenty minutes, and when I asked the manager why we were driving so far out, he told
me that he liked to stay on the outskirts of a major city because it was
cheaper. When we finally pulled up to the hotel, cheap it was. It was a raggedy, dirty-looking hotel in the middle of nowhere, and
the rooms weren’t much better. As I looked around the small,
dingy room with two double beds, a half a light bulb went off in my head, and in the back of my mind, I thought, “oh
hell”. But since I had just walked through the door, I decided to ride
it out, and see what happened.
I met my two room-mates, one of which introduced herself as the “room captain”. She informed me that I was
going to be sharing a bed with the other girl, something I wasn’t
completely comfortable with, but she just kept assuring me that it was ok. “We’re all a big family”, she
proceeded to tell me, “we eat, live, and work together, it’s
kinda like camp.” It’s safe to say that I was sold on the idea. By this time, it was about 8a.m., so she told me to
take a shower and get dressed because the morning meeting starts every
morning at 9:30, and we had to get to work. Ok now Pause!! Mind you, I just came off of a twenty hour bus ride, with like 3or
4 layovers, almost no sleep, and I’m exhausted. Ding, ding. That
should have been the second light bulb to go off, but dumb, naive me ignored all the signs. Just the joy of being away from home
over-shadowed it all. Ok, now we can press play. After my shower, and
change of clothes, my room captain takes me to a conference room with about 7 or 8 other people. They were all saying some
sort of speech to each other. After I met my trainer a couple of minutes
later, she informed me that they were practicing their “sales-talk” or the speech that they used to get the
customers, whom they call “Jones’” to buy the books. The
sales-talk consisted of a college canvass which has a “point program”, where they can win a thousand dollars
toward college if they accumulated twenty thousand points by selling different
types of books and magazines. A point system which I later found out was fake, and so was the whole story about college. My
trainer told me the reason why they all used the college canvass was
because that’s what the “Jones’” responded to the best. They’ll buy from a struggling
college student quicker than someone just selling books as a real job.
“Besides”, she told me, “everybody here is around the same age, so we look like real college kids. It
makes it more believable.” The whole while, I’m not really saying
too much, I was just pretty much observing. After I thought I had gotten the jist of it all, I figured, “as long as I get paid,
it won’t be the first lie I ever told, and I’m sure
it won’t be the last”. People always said “all salespeople lie”, and to me, these people had just
confirmed that statement. “Oh well”, I thought, “at least
I’m getting paid for it, so my lies will not be completely in vain”. While my trainer was talking to me, the other
crew members came up and welcomed me and introduced themselves. A couple
of them even gave me their sales-talk, and just as my trainer had said, they all used the college canvass. About an hour later, the
manager comes in and tells us to sit down. “What’s
happening TOPS?” Everyone responded by saying something like “cash” or “sales”. (
I soon learned that TOPS, which stood for Team of Professional Salespeople, was our
crew name, and “what’s happening TOPS” was how we were to greet each other every time we saw
or came across one another, no matter what we were doing, and we had to respond by
saying something “positive” or conducive to getting sales). He introduced me, and welcomed me to
“Chapel Sales: TOPS Organization” (Chapel Sales changed their name to
Millennium Sales a year later). He proceeded to motivate us, or what they called “pump” on things such as
“just stay positive”, “selling is the art of persuasion”,
“if you keep your quota on your mind, your most dominate thought will manifest itself”. He kept telling us how
he bought twenty-two acres of land from just knocking on doors. He called
himself the “master salesperson”, and now I know why.
The first couple of weeks were ok. Every day we had our “motivational meetings”, all loaded up into a big
fifteen passenger van, and knocked in different neighborhoods for about ten or
twelve hours. We usually worked the “hood” because that’s where the car-handler (person driving the
van) considered “cash territory”. Even though we were allowed to
accept checks in the company’s name, cash is how we survived. Every night when we got back to the hotel to check in
our money, our manager usually gave us between five and seven dollars (twenty
on Saturday nights because we didn’t work on Sunday’s), just enough to get something to eat, use some of the
money to pay the rent at the hotel, and the rest, he would put in his pocket.
The checks would get mailed back to the main office in New Jersey with all the sale reports. People have asked me how I know
so much about the “technical” part of the magazine business.
That’s because about my first year I had proved myself trustworthy enough to become my manager’s
“right-hand man”. He broke the cardinal rule: to keep the agents in their
place, but them on a strict need to know diet. Managers are not supposed to discuss things like how they get paid, the extreme
mark-ups of the books (usually 150%-300%), things they write off as tax
deductions, or even the portion the company owner gets paid. I liked being the right- hand man. Anybody that knew me at that
time could tell you that I got away with a lot. Every night we had curfew
at midnight, which we rarely obeyed. Drinking was only allowed on Saturday nights, and we weren’t supposed to have
drugs. The rules made it feel like summer camp for real, but we partied like
rock stars anyway. A whole group of 18 and 19 year olds, and every night we drank more alcohol, and smoked more weed than
the wildest college kids. It was the way we relaxed after some of the days we
went through. We were out there rain, sleet, or snow all day, just like little soldiers. From the scorching summer days in
Alabama, to the near freezing temperatures of New York winters. We had only
one mission: bring back the moneyand that we did. And for all that we went through, dealing with car handlers screaming at us
when we didn’t have many sales, to refusing to take us to eat if we
didn’t have any sales. To people slamming doors in our faces all day. We felt like we deserved to escape for a little
while. And since we weren’t allowed to have our own vehicles on the
road, we were stuck at the hotel. So every night after work, we would walk to the nearest store, find the closest dope man, and
escape for a couple hours. Our manager used to catch us all of the
time, and yes, he used to pour out the drinks and throw out the weed he found, but the next night, it was on again. It finally got to
the point where he didn’t even come by our rooms at certain
hours because he knew what we were doing. But later he told me that he often looked the other way a lot because we were
bringing in the money, and we didn’t cause any problems. But it
wasn’t just our manager. As long as we brought in the money, the other managers went by the same code. When our
business dropped, they tightened up the reigns, our business picked back up, the
managers loosened up. Our law of supply and demand. We supplied the money, making sure we paid the rent, and kept money
in our manager’s pocket.we demanded to be left alone while we did our own
thing after work. So how did we afford to survive and do all this with just five dollars a night? Being the right-hand man had its
perks, but it also had its price.
After my first couple of days in the business, I soon realized that it’s damn near impossible to survive on the road from
just selling books. So we relied on a second source of income, one of
the biggest sins of the magazine business: taking donations. The books were so expensive; sometimes people couldn’t
afford to buy them. But we were so charming; sometimes people just gave us 5
or 10 dollars to put in our pockets. Sometimes people already knew what magazine crews were really about, so they threw us a
20 and advised us to get the hell out. The managers grew furious if they
heard that any of us were taking donations. Even though we never heard any of the managers say it out loud, we all came to the
conclusion that the reason why it was such a big deal was because they
weren’t getting any part of that. Donations were 100% commission for us, and the managers couldn’t stand it.
When my manager saw that I was good with people, and he could trust me with
one of his vans, he would send me on hiring sprees two or three days a weekwith no pay. I didn’t get paid for going out,
or for the people that I hiredand some of those people ended up making
him a lot of money. He told me that I had to pay my dues in the business to be successful, (it was times like this, that the
“master salesperson in him came out). He definitely sold me on that
idea!!! Those days that I couldn’t knock, those donations that I had saved up from the days before literally saved me
from going hungry many days, and I like to eat!! But I’m getting
ahead of myself; let me tell you how I became this so-called “right-hand man”.
I went through a lot of stuff that the average person wouldn’t dare put up with. I can’t even count the number of
times the car handler left me stranded. When they said,
“don’t be late for pick-up”, that’s what they meant. They always gave us a certain time to be
back on our corner, and sometimes we would be late because we wanted to bring
something back to the car handler, so we wouldn’t have to hear their screams and name-calling. But that last pick-up
was critical. It was a sin to come back with nothing, and a sin to be late.
But sometimes we had to choose, and most times we went for the moneybut that came with a price. If we were late, the car
handler would drive through your area one time, and keep it moving, taking
everybody else back to the hotel. I don’t even want to think about the number of times I knocked on a
stranger’s door at 11 and 12 o’clock at night crying, not knowing what to do.
But I can honestly say that GOD was with me, because they always brought me back, but each one advised me to go back
home. But this didn’t happen to just me, I’ve seen it happen to plenty
of people. Sometimes the car handler would be mad at that particular person, and leave them on purpose. How am I so sure
about that? Because most times I was the one my manager sent back out to get
the person they had left, after letting them sit out there for a couple of extra hours. Ok, so we got being stranded, let’s
move on.
The constant police problems were an issue. For me, it was a minor setback when trying to knock on doors in certain types of
neighborhoodsespecially at night!! But for some of us, it was a major
issue. Sometimes the police used to pull over the whole van. Looking back on it, those times were kind of funny. We would be
riding down the street, and all of a sudden we would see an officer ride
up on us real closerunning our plates of course. Everybody starts looking over their shoulder real slow, praying that he
doesn’t cut on those lights, and almost every time, that’s exactly
what they did!! You can hear everybody sigh and say “damn” at the same time. Those who had weed started
stuffing it in their pants, those who had warrants started praying that they
didn’t run our names, and the rest of us just went on ahead and pulled out our i.d’s, same old drill. We
wouldn’t have had to go through all that if the manager had actually gotten
permits for us like the police kept telling him to, but once again, it all came down to money. The managers all figured out how to
keep as much money in their pockets as possible, and getting
individual permits for us in every city that we worked would cost way too much. So we kept taking our chances in the same
neighborhoods with no permits. We kept knocking, and the police kept coming.
And eventually, people started getting locked up. At one point it got so bad in Florida that I had one officer to know me by
name. Every time someone called the police on me for soliciting, he for
some reason would always be the one to show up. GOD BLESS HIM!!! He saved me from going to jail many a day.
Unfortunately, everyone wasn’t always so lucky. There have been many days where we
went to work with 15 or 16 people, and only returned with 13 or 14. We wondered why they were missing for 2 or 3 days at a
time, only to find out that they had been in jail for soliciting without a
permit. The manager would always refuse to pay bail, he would always “wait it out” because usually once the
officers realized that the manager didn’t give a damn about the kids,
they would let them go with the strong warning to go home. I learned my lesson the first couple of run-ins I had with the cops. If
the police came and said stop knocking, that’s what I did. The
more people kept telling our manager about the police, the more furious he became. “Excuses are like assholes,
everybody’s got one. You mean to tell me you gonna let them mutha fuckas
stop you from getting paid, from being successful.” He would scream that at us every time!!! But that’s how he
kept us in check. He would always put us back out or someone else in the
same neighborhood, and dare us to say something else about the police. We always used to wonder why we would act so crazy
when we talked about the police. It got so bad with him that if he came on
our street and saw us talking to the police, he would just keep riding by, and come back about half an hour later or when he
thought they were gone. He would tell us, “You caused the problem by
yourself, you take care of it by yourself, don’t get me involved with that shit.” It wasn’t until he later
told me about his warrants and past jail experiences that I halfway
understood why he did it (I’ll tell you about that later). If I happened to be put out in the same neighborhood the cops
told me to stop knocking in, I would just walk to the nearest store and
chill until it was time to gomama ain't raise no fool, I ain’t going to jail for nobody!!! Ok, I survived that, now
let’s move on. I guess after that you would say, “Damn,
there’s more?”, when I tell you that I was dedicated, that was an understatement. This is why my manager
trusted me, going through all of that, and I still stuck around I was definitely a
keeper. I really proved that when I knocked on crutches.
I was a couple of months in on the job. It was getting to be winter, so we headed so sweet Miami, Florida. Our manager used to
teach us to run door to door. He told us that it built momentum, and we
get to more doors. I was fairly new, and had a sincere intent to do a good job, so run I didwell, more like a heavy sprint!!
Anyway, long story short, I was running from door to door, and I fell down
some steps in an apartment complex, busting my knee. For a whole week I complained and begged my manager to take me to
the hospital, but for a week, I was ignored. It wasn’t until everybody
else noticed that my knee had started to swell, and I was limping, that he finally took me. Turns out, I had torn an ACL in my
right knee. I was on crutches for two weeks, and a knee brace for a
month. So what did my manager do? Well, he was nice enough to give me three days off, and it was right back to work. He left
me responsible for everything. Getting my own medicine, handling my doctor
bill, even for getting my own food while I was stuck in bed for those three days. It was times like that, that made me thank GOD
I had good friends. They picked up my medicine and made sure that my
room was stocked with food. The good side is that when people saw me hurt, and still selling books, I didn’t even need
a sales-talk. They respected my hustle so much, the only thing they could
say was, “how much is it?” I was actually one of the top salespeople that month!!! Me and my crew were
straight soldiers. We’ve been out in the field with bronchitis, laryngitis,
the flu, on crutches, half deadwhatever. Our manager trained us to overcome any circumstance. Did he cross the line at times, of
course, but I can say that each one of us is a stronger person because
of it. His training might have been heartless, but so is life sometimes. But if you can make it on a magazine crew, you can make it
damn near anywhere else.
There’s not enough hours in a day, or even enough words in the English language to make people understand what we
go through on these crews. My friends have been raped, robbed at gun point, I
was there when my manager got so mad one night, he literally beat up one of my friends. He was already upset because we
didn’t have such a good week. So when my friend had come to one of our
Sunday night meetings late, and drunk, my manager went through the roof. I couldn’t do anything but sit there as my
manager snatched my friend from his seat, threw him up against the wall, and
started beating the hell out of him. When he saw some of the other guys starting to get up to help, he threw my friend in the back
room, and locked the door. When they came out about ten minutes
later, my manager’s shirt was all bloody, and my friend’s head was bust wide open. They both left that nightmy
manager in his Cadillac, and my friend in an ambulance. This hadn’t
been my manager’s first incident like that, so he already knew to leave before the police got there. By this time, he was
a pro about running from the cops. He would always stay gone for a
couple of days, but by that time, we were more than capable of holding our own, so it was never a big deal. To be honest, it was
kind of relaxing. When he was around, you could feel the tension,
everyone was on their toes. Those days he was gone, we could all breathe a little easierand we were still about our money.
When it comes to the things me and my crew went through, the list goes on.
But we still hung in there. We had gotten so close over the years; we didn’t mind being around each other all of the
time.
Our crew finally started to separate when some of the girls started getting pregnant, and leaving with their boyfriends. We had
new people to come and go between this time, but when they saw the
other agents leaving, they didn’t last too long either. The crew really fell apart when we started traveling with other
crews. They had some habits that we didn’t, and operated in ways
that we didn’t agree with. We often times got into arguments and fights with the other managers. After a few months with
the other crew, our crew started dropping like flies. When it got down
to just three of us, our manager hit hard times. He had to borrow money from the other managers to pay the rent, even going as
low as to “borrow” money from me. I had saved up some money
to send back home to my grandmother, but gave it to my manager with the “sincere promise” that he would
return it. It’s safe to say that by the time I left, he had found a
“legal” way to keep him from giving my money back, and sent me on the bus back to North Carolina with no
money in my pocket.
So you may ask, “Why did you stay so long?” It wasn’t because I necessarily loved the job so much.
To summarize, throughout my two years, I’ve been hurt, nearly arrested,
stranded, watched my friends get beat up, robbed, and mistreated. Why did I stay? Because for the first time in my life, I felt like
I had a real family. I never got along with my own, and on the
crew, I met people just like me. Some had nowhere to go, couldn’t find any other job. We just wanted to be accepted.
My particular group were the A-Dubs. We even called each other sisters and
brothers. We were kind of like a non-violent gang. We didn’t associate with the other crews when they came around.
We walked differently. We had a different swagger in our step. The other crews
knew when the A-Dubs were in the building, because we made ourselves known. Yes, I can say that we were cocky, but so was
our manager, and he did a great job of teaching us to think that we were the
best. As evil as our manager was, we stuck together, watched out for each other, confided in each other, even fought for each
other. It’s crazy the things people will put up with to feel like
they belong, to feel loved, and to be accepted. And when you grew up like I did, and like so many other young people on these
crews: some homeless, broken homes, abusive backgrounds, it’s nice
to be surrounded and accepted by people whom you have something in common with. So we learned how to deal. And I dealt
with it all the way to the end. The A-Dubs went through a lot together, and
amazingly enough, we still keep in touch with each other. Some have children now; some are in school and have steady jobs. But
one thing that we definitely still have in common is that we’re
all truly happy now. But I would not say that my experiences were completely in vain. I learned confidence, strength, but most of
all, the importance of family. So I guess that saying is true,
“What the devil meant for bad, GOD meant for good”.
Now that I have been off the road for about a month now, it’s given me the opportunity to sit back and reflect on just
how blessed I was to be involved in something so dangerous for so long,
and make it out safely. Sometimes I still have nightmares of some of the things that I went through, and some of the things I
witnessed. Writing this has been somewhat of a therapy for me. But I
don’t just write this for me, I write this on behalf of the hundreds upon thousands of young people that are not here with
us or not able to tell their stories. Some people think of magazine
crews, and the first word that pops into their head is “scam”, but if you ever take the time to sit down and really
talk to one of us, you’ll see that for us, the salesperson
itself, it was literally survival.
2010 Breaking News
Give 'til it hurts: Magazine sales scams (thing)
December 31, 2010 Give 'til it hurts: Magazine sales scams (thing)
by ChristineWinter
Everything 2
everything2.com
You've probably seen these poor suckers. They may come to your house, or
they may come walking creepily in your direction in a parking lot with a
look of determination in their eyes. However they manage to rope you, you're in for a long drawn-out sob story, usually
something about a sales quota or a points-based competition that's only x
amount of points away from completion. Often a fantastic holiday to some tropical locale is hinging on the successful sale
of...what exactly? It may take them fifteen minutes to get around to
actually telling you what they're selling. It's incredibly difficult to shake these people with anything short of threats of physical
violence. If you tell them anything other than "yes, I'll order
from you" reactions vary from pouting to straight up verbal abuse.
You have just witnessed the seedy world of traveling magazine sales.
Like most of my write-ups, this one would not be complete without an anecdote. I have been fortunate in that I have
encountered these misguided fools exactly twice in my life, but both times left me
contemplating homicide. Both times were when I was in Buffalo, a detail that comes into play in a minute. The first time I was in
a mall and a young guy, maybe late teens/early twenties, approached
me and started talking my ear off immediately without giving me even a chance to say "sorry, I'm kind of in a hurry" or preferably
"fuck off, I don't want any". Even if I wasn't already convinced he
was trying to sell me something I would have found him insufferable, but thankfully he wasn't very good at hiding that he was a
salesman, so I could let his bullshit go in one ear and out the other
with confidence. I must have been in a particularly good mood that day because I humoured him for maybe ten minutes. During
this time he tried every trick in the book, from flattery ("You know,
you're a very attractive woman. I'm sure you could really get into some fashion magazines.") to the aforementioned sob story
about a company-paid vacation ("I've just got to get 1,000 more points and
then I'm going to Hawaii baby!"). Of course it was heavily implied that a sale to me would accomplish this goal.
When I finally got my chance to speak, I told him I currently had no money (a lie, of course). "Well you could write me a
cheque," he suggested. I told him I did not have a bank account (also a lie).
"Oh..." The enthusiasm dropped to zero in a flash. "Well, thanks anyway."
So I went on my merry way, relieved to finally be rid of the windy douchebag. And since I did in fact have cash on me I went
and bought whatever it was I went to the mall to buy in the first place
(he actually almost made me forget). So I was just about to walk out the door when I see him again, only this time he's storming
toward me with three other guys, looking pissed beyond belief. Of
course I was freaked at first, but then I could barely contain my laughterwhen he wailed, "How could you lie to me like that? You
told me you didn't have any money on you!"
"It wasn't a lie," I explained. "I have no money on me for magazines. Have a good one!" I then walked outside and laughed for at
least five minutes.
The second incident was much like this one, only it occurred in a supermarket parking lot. A middle-aged guy who could easily
have gone as a hobo for Halloween, bundled as he was in layers of shabby
clothing and unshaven, eyed me like a vulture staking out a wounded moose, running to catch me before I made it into the store.
Unlike the first guy he spent a little more time schmoozing me to lead
up to the sales pitch. He asked me where I was from, what I did for a living, teased me about "sounding Canadian", etc. Like the
first guy he complimented my appearance, only he was extremely creepy
about it. He kept trying to put his arm around me and repeatedly asked why "a pretty girl like me wasn't married". He smelled
like stale cigars and rum. I'll give credit where credit is due, though;
he was a little better at this game than the first guy. When he finally got to the subject of the magazine subscriptions he tossed in
the added detail that a portion of the proceeds would go to a
local charity. Nice. If I turn down this offer I'm a selfish soulless bitch. Well, I guess I'm a selfish soulless bitch because I told him
I had no money on me. "Well then why are you going to the
store?" he asked, clearly angry. Again I explained I had money for everything in the world except damn magazines and walked
off.
Both of these incidents were only mildly irritating, the second one more so because the guy was incredibly inappropriate, but I
would learn later that by fucking with these guys for my amusement I
may have just put strain on structures that weren't up to code to begin with. As a bit of an armchair consumer advocate I
regularly read up on employment and sales scams. There is a plethora of
damning stories about these magazine sales scams, sleazy organizations that harvest high school and college students, single
mothers, chronically unemployed or unemployable individuals, and other
"easy marks" for an operation that is at best a nuisance and at worst incredibly illegal. They snag their victims in an insultingly
idiotic manner too, with vaguely or creatively worded help wanted
ads. After the second run-in I started doing searchesline for questionable-looking job postings recruiting for this disaster. My
favourite was worded something like this, complete with grating caps
lock: "LIVE LIKE A ROCK STAR. TRAVEL AND MAKE FRIENDS! MAKE MONEY BY DAY AND PARTY ALL
NITE! ROCK AND ROLL BLUE JEANS JOB AVAILABLE FOR SHARP 18-24 YEAR OLDS! WORK FOR A MAJOR
MAGAZINE PUBLISHER!
CALL xxx-xxx-xxxx (an 800 number)"
When I did a search for the phone number I learned it belonged to a clearing house that had gone through a number of name
changes over the past couple years according to some outdated listings. It
seemed, too, that they had moved to a couple different states in the same amount of time. Which brings me back to my
anecdote. I was in Buffalo. The first guy, the asshat in the mall, told me he was
from Pasadena, California. The second guy didn't tell me where he was from but from the looks of him he'd also been wandering
the countryside like Johnny Magazineseed, annoying people from coast to
coast. According to my research a huge draw for these "jobs" is the travel aspect. It is almost always mentioned in the job
postings. This is especially troubling when you remember that their target
demographic for "independent contractors", as these individuals are dubbed to exonerate the clearing house from its dirty deeds,
is young teens. The very people who are likely to be enticed by the
promise of travel and huge payoffs for little work, who are unlikely to complain if something goes awry, and who are also
unlikely to have money for bus fare home when they wise up and realize
they're being royally fucked.
I stopped feeling bad about lying to those guys when I discovered that it was likely they who set off the cycle of deception. The
salespeople are instructed by their managers to out and out lie about
every conceivable thing. Bonus points if it's bound to score more sales, such as the second guy's charity angle. They are told to
make up stories at every opportunity, touting themselves as working
to pay for college, "working to turn their lives around", and other bullshit designed to tug at the heartstrings.
Ironically, the truth in these people's stories is far more tragic than anything they could make up. In 2007 the New York Times
ran a story detailing disturbing tales of abuse, violence, threats,
rape, and even murder within the twisted ranks of these operations, with the bloodstains squarely on the hands of the clearing
houses that contract the "managers", who in turn employ the independent
contractors. Forget that these salespeople never make anywhere even close to the money promised them by fast-talking
recruiters (the money stays "on the books", to be distributed later, but later
never comes). Never mind that they often worked 10 to 14 hours a day, every day, only to retire to crummy motels where the
lowest seller of the day was motivated to strive harder by being made to
sleep on the floor. Some of these people were irreversibly damaged by what happened to them on this "dream job". One man
told of having to practically beg to be allowed to return home, only to be
dropped off unceremoniously at the bus station with inadequate funds for a ticket, thousands of miles from home. Men who
missed their sales quota were forced to fight each other, and anyone who
stepped out of line risked a beating from a manager. One woman interviewed for the article spoke of being drugged and raped
by strange men who were partying with her crew at a motel, then was
demanded by her manager to go back to work the following morning.
Sadly, these are far from isolated incidents, or even the worst incidents. There have been several highly-publicized accounts of
fatal accidents, most of which were caused by the unsafe vehicles used
by the traveling crews, but more than a few as a result of the aforementioned beatings. Drug overdoses are fairly common. Still
others have been abducted and murdered after being dropped off to sell
in sketchy areas.
All of these are steep prices to pay for money that is rarely ever seen, or if it is it is in abysmal amounts, nowhere near anything
that is ever promised. According to the New York Times article,
the clearing houses get about 40 percent of the subscription money and the publishers about 10. The crew leaders get the
remaining 50 percent, out of which they pay all expenses on the road,
including the sales crew's commission. Depending on just how profitable the group is this seems entirely workable...in theory.
The crew members could receive several hundred dollars a week and still
not have to sleep in scummy cheap motels where being robbed, beaten, or raped is sometimes not a question of if, but when.
Instead, most crew members received only their daily allowance of 15
dollars. The rest of the money, even for successful sellers, was kept in a bank account "for expenses" and never seen again.
Labour protection is out of the question as well. Due to the creative branding by the clearing houses of the crews as independent
contractors, or more specifically, outdoor sellers, they are exempt
from most regulations on overtime and minimum wage while simultaneously absolving the clearing houses of most liability, since
the crews are not technically their employees. Just to err on the side
of caution, though, especially since their antics have become more publicized in recent years, these organizations started taking
extra measures to make it difficult to track any misdoings back to
them. Remember how I mentioned the one clearing house I researched having changed their name and moved across several
states? That happens a lot. It becomes even more prudent for them to do this when
one considers the consumer's end of this debacle. Many people who have felt sorry for the poor souls peddling these
publications and actually bought a subscription never saw the magazines. Good luck
finding a customer care department for a company that technically no longer exists because it moved and changed its name.
Fortunately, not all of them were swift enough to evade justice, and that is why so many former teen magazine sales crew
members have been able to tell their stories. Even the ones who say, "That's
not what it was like at all. Those were the bad ones ruining it for everyone else." or extol the impressive pay they hauled in every
week could admit that more often than not they wondered if it was
all worth it. Even though the industry has cleaned up considerably in recent years (most operations now require background
checks and regular drug testing for both crew and management) the industry
has a past that will haunt it forever. The fact that traveling youth sales crews topped the National Consumers League's list of the
five worst jobs for teens in the U.S. in 2010 says it all.
by ChristineWinter
Everything 2
everything2.com
http://everything2.com Read
This Story
Brownwood, Texas
Officials Remind Residents to be Cautious of Door-To-Door Sales
December 30, 2010 Officials
Remind Residents to be Cautious of Door-To-Door Sales
Thursday, 30 December 2010 14:47 | Written by Lisa Tipton
BROWNWOODNEWS.COM
Local News
Early Chief of Police David Mercer reported that his office has recently
responded to several calls of salespeople going door-to-door selling
cleaning products which has made some residents nervous. Mercer said that one complainant stated the salesman was asking
where elderly people lived. Early officers located 6 of the individuals
selling products and issued citations for violation of city ordinance for not obtaining a permit to sell products door-to-door.
Early city ordinance requires an individual or company to obtain permits from city hall and undergo a short background check
before obtaining a permit Mercer said. Recently, the reported individuals
were all from the Houston area and their company was based out of Chicago, Illinois.
Joe Roady of Brownwood Development Service said that businesses are required to register and obtain door-to-door sales
permits in the Brownwood city limits as well, but no reports of unpermitted
salespeople have been reported recently to his knowledge.
“If in the city limits, they should have a permit,” Roady said. “Citizens could ask for a copy of the
permit, and if they cannot provide it, they should be doubly
careful.”
Early Police Chief Mercer also reminds area residents to use caution when opening their door to salespeople.
“I want to stress to our residents to be very careful allowing people into your home selling products door to
door,” stated Mercer. “While there are reputable companies that conduct
business this way, there are also people who are just checking things out and may come back later or just trying to see if anyone
is home to take advantage of an unoccupied house.”
Early Police Department encourages everyone to report suspicious people in their neighborhoods so officers can check on
it.
Last Updated (Thursday, 30 December 2010 14:50)
Written by Lisa Tipton
BROWNWOODNEWS.COM
Local News
http://www.brownwoodnews.com
Brownwood, Texas Read
This Story
Whittier, California DMPG Info: Door-to-Door Magazine Sales Company:
Dynasty Technologies, Inc.
end DMPG Info December 30, 2010 Report: #677042
Report: Dynasty Technologies, Inc.
Reported By: T. Rivas (Whittier California United States of America)
Dynasty Technologies, Inc. MAGAZINE FUNDRAISER a SCAM, teenage kids selling door to door. Indledale,
Colorado
Category: Book & Magazine Publishers
Submitted: Thursday, December 30, 2010
Posted: Thursday, December 30, 2010
Idaho Lottery
December 30, 2010 Idaho
Lottery
December 30, 2010 by BusinessPost
United States Online News
USSPOST.COM
Idaho Lottery, Scam artists are always creating new ways to steal money or
identity. The Better Business Bureau recently issued a list of top scams
used during the past year. Some scams are old and familiar, others are new. So it is important that people stay on their guard
when it comes to protecting their money and identity.
The Office of the justice budget of 11.5 million people experiences some type of identity fraud within two years the United
States. It is a fraction of the number of scams that can come via the
Internet, telephone, in your mail and your door. Some scammers promise to make money with their potential victims. “If
it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” said Captain Ken
Brown of the Idaho Falls Police. Police said the robbers put a deposit account numbers, promising large sums of money, only to
raise money to hold accounts. “Many of them come from third world
countries,” said Brown. “We find from Jamaica, Nigeria, some European countries and Canada.”
The Better Business Bureau has issued a list of 2010 high and hard scams. As the loans fees, sales door to door where people
are using sales tactics, high pressure for the consumer have pre-pay for a
product that never happens.The “grandparents scam, where the victim receives a message form someone claiming to be
a friend outside the country who needs money wired to them because they had
problems. However, scams job hunter seeking job seekers to pay fees to take into consideration for a job. Whenever someone
requests an account number or social security number, consumers should be
cautious. It is best to call the police, the sheriff’s office, state police or the FBI if a person believes they have been
contacted by a scammer attempting a coup. Top Scams Advance Fee Loans:
Web Sites offering credit-challenged borrowers of loans. Lenders charge a fee to be connected in advance to receive the loan.
Once money is wired, borrowers do not receive the loan. Auto service
contracts: Consumers can receive postcards or phone calls implying that their warranties are about to expire and offering to ease
their worries about the car repair bills by purchasing many
consumers, then it is extremely difficult to get money for any “extended warranty”. Repairs. Selling door-to-
door sellers of magazine subscriptions, burglar alarms, home repairs, vacuum
cleaners and other items used high pressure sales tactics to obtain payment for items or services that does never happens or
does not meet the customers? Expectations.
‘Free’ Trial Offers: Consumers are encouraged to order a product such as teeth whitening, anti-aging pills or
other products may be covered by a TV personality. After receiving the
product, they discover that they were registered to receive additional products for a monthly fee which can be hundreds of
dollars. It can be extremely difficult to obtain a refund or to stop
spending. A friend / family in distress: Also known as the grandparents scam. The victim receives a message from someone?
Friend? Or? Family member? Claiming they are outside the country and have had
problems. The victim is asked to wire thousands of dollars to pay legal fees or bonding. Lottery and Check scams: Victims
receive letters in the mail from companies purporting to be from a foreign
lottery, publisher clearing house or another reputable company or charity. Often, the letter contains a check look authentic. In
most cases, victims are asked over hundreds of dollars back to the
crooks – ostensibly to cover taxes or other fees can. Hunter Job Scams: A scammer asks job seekers to pay a fee to be
considered for a job scheduling other, an out-of-town interview and ask the
applicant to send money to cover an airfare. Other scams try to access personal information such as bank account or social
security numbers, under the guise of evaluating somehow a potential
employee. Mystery Shopping: Consumers may be told they will be paid at the shop in a store and evaluate its customer service.
Victims can receive authentic-looking checks that are supposed to cover
the cost of purchases. They are asked to wire money to the crooks to evaluate a money wiring service such as Western Union or
MoneyGram. The checks are fake, and the victims suffer a loss and bank
charges. E-mail Phishing: New phishing attack against fraudsters posing as government agencies or delivery companies in the
boxes pop up everywhere. Whatever the configuration, the goal of any e-mail
phishing is the same: to trick the victims to disclose sensitive financial information or infect the victim’s computer with
viruses and malware. Work-At-Home Systems: Application websites that
people can live in the house using Google or Twitter or by purchasing a kit that includes educational materials or products to sell.
Many of these scams are no trial offer, with victims being billed
each month for the cost of materials or other mystery. Legitimate employers do not require employees to make an initial
investment.
by BusinessPost
United States Online News
USSPOST.COM
http://usspost.com Read This Story
Culpeper, Virginia
HOW I SEE IT: Town regulates door-to-door solicitors
December 27, 2010 HOW I
SEE IT: Town regulates door-to-door solicitors
By Wally Bunker, Town of Culpeper spokesman
Star Exponent
Published: December 27, 2010
At times, town residents ask what can be done about people coming to the
door selling items, offering magazine subscriptions or seeking charitable
donations. The answer is, the town has an ordinance requiring solicitors and peddlers to carry a permit issued by the town after
they register with the town clerk’s office and undergo a
criminal records check by the police department.
The town’s ordinance is designed to protect citizens from solicitors going door-to-door in multi-family or single-family
dwellings selling “any goods, wares or merchandise or accept
subscriptions or orders.” The ordinance also covers solicitors who “accept or request donations for any
charitable purpose.”
Deputy Clerk Lisa Hutcherson, who handles solicitation registration for the town, said each individual solicitor must carry the
town-issued permit when going door-to-door. “People need to know
they have the right to see town-issued solicitor’s permit and possibly a town of Culpeper business license,” she
said.
Some solicitors have been known to tell residents requesting proof of registration that another member of the group has the
permit. Hutcherson stressed that each organization must register with the
town. But permits are issued to each individual member of a for-profit group conducting door-to-door solicitation after the
application is approved, fees paid and background check conducted. If a
business license is required for the organization, it is mailed to the business’s main office. It may be copied and provided
to each solicitor.
Unpaid members of any civic or charitable organization also must register with the town clerk’s office and go through
the same application process, providing names of solicitors prior to going
door-to-door in town. The organization is strongly encouraged to provide each person listed with an approved means of
identification with the organization.
Although the group may be registered as a non-profit or charitable organization with the state, the town clerk’s office
needs the organization to provide confirmation from the state to prove
registration.
“When citizens see possible solicitors on their street, they need to call the police while the person is in the neighborhood
so their permit and/or license status can be verified,” said
Hutcherson.
Solicitors also are prohibited from coming on property posted with “no solicitation notices” and must leave if the
owner or occupant has asked them to leave.
In addition, the clerk’s office also noted that it is a violation of town ordinances to place handbills, door hangers or
advertising flyers on any private property, which includes residences or
vehicles.
Anyone having questions about solicitors may contact the town clerk’s office at 829-8240 or the police department at
727-7900.
By Wally Bunker, Town of Culpeper spokesman
Star Exponent
http://www2.starexponent.com
Culpeper, Virginia Read This Story
Culpeper, Virginia
Town of Culpeper to enforce peddling license rule
December 26, 2010 Town of Culpeper to enforce peddling license rule
Town of Culpeper requires door-to-door solicitors to get, carry peddler's licenses
BY DONNIE JOHNSTON
Free Lance–Star
Date published: 12/26/2010
BY DONNIE JOHNSTON
Whether it's a woodchuck selling firewood, an elementary school student selling magazine subscriptions or a salesman showing
vacuum cleaners, he or she must have a peddling license to operate in the
town of Culpeper.
A town ordinance requires solicitors and peddlers to register with the clerk's office and undergo criminal records checks before
being issued licenses, according to town public information director
Wally Bunker.
The ordinance is designed to protect the public from door-to-door salesmen selling "any goods, wares or merchandise" or taking
subscriptions or orders, Bunker said.
Those seeking charitable donations are not exempt. And those going door-to-door must carry the permits with them.
"People need to know they have the right to see a town-issued solicitor's permit and possibly a town of Culpeper business
license," said town Deputy Clerk Lisa Hutcherson.
She added that residents should not accept an explanation that another member of the soliciting organization has that group's
business license. Every solicitor must carry a copy of that license.
Even if solicitors are licensed by the state, they still must be processed by the town, Hutcherson said.
Solicitors are not permitted to come onto property where "no soliciting" signs appear.
It is also against the law in Culpeper to place handbills, door hangers or advertising fliers on any private property, which includes
residences or vehicles, Hutcherson said.
"When citizens see possible solicitors on their street, they need to call the police while the person is in the neighborhood so their
permit and/or license status can be verified," Hutcherson
said.
Anyone with questions about solicitors may contact the Town Clerk's Office at 540/829-8240 or the Police Department
(through the Culpeper County Public Safety Communications Center) at
540/727-7900.
Donnie Johnston:
Email: djohnston@freelancestar.com
BY DONNIE JOHNSTON
Free Lance–Star
http://fredericksburg.com
Fredericksburg, Virginia Read This Story
Houston, Texas
Possible Magazine Sales Scam Again Operating In Taylor High School Area DMPG
Info: Door-to-Door Magazine Sales Company/Clearinghouse:
Atlantic Circulation, Inc.
Website: http://www.atlanticcirculation.com Google Search: Atlantic Circulation Google Search
This Site For: Atlantic Circulation BBB:
Business Contact and Profile
Name: Atlantic Circulation, Inc.
Phone: (717) 755-3480
Address: 2550 Kingston Road, York, PA 17402
Business Category: Magazines Sold Door-to-Door, Publishers-Directory ∓mp; Guide
eMail: customerservice@atlanticcirculation.com
BBB file opened: March 06, 2000
Business started: September 1998
Primary Contact: Mr. Daniel W. Shoemaker, III (President)
Complaint Contact: Ms. April Hartman (Office Manager)
Alternate Business Names
Atlantic Circulation
Products and Services
This company offers data processing of subscriptions for direct sales companies.
Additional Locations and Phone Numbers
2 College Avenue, P.o. Box 448, Mountville, PA 17554
(570) 285-4504
Magazine Sales Crew A.K.A. for Atlantic Circulation:
Atlantic Periodical Sales Inc, Berlingeri Salesm, Condella Sales, Double Douce Subscription Inc ,Foster Sales, G T Sales,
Jamison Sales, King Sales, Lamb Sales Inc, McLemore Sales,Platinum Plus ,Red
Hot Sales, Robinson Sales, Strictly Business Inc, Stubbs Sales, Success Unlimited Associates Inc ,United Subscription Service
Corp, White Sales, Yingst Sales
Additional Atlantic Circulation A.K.A.: Blue Diamond end
DMPG Info December 20, 2010 Possible Magazine Sales Scam Again Operating In Taylor High School
Area
By: John Pape on Mon, Dec 20, 2010 News
InstantnewsKaty.com
For the second time in three months, Katy area residents are being warned
about a possible magazine sales scam being operated in the area.
The reported rip-off involves a young person, purporting to be either in high school or college, going door-to-door selling
magazine subscriptions.
The same scam was reported operating in the Katy area in mid-October. Over the weekend, several new reports were received
about the door-to-door magazines sales efforts.
As in October, the reports were centered around the Taylor High School area, with sales people contacting residents at homes
and apartment complexes.
In each case, the sales person claims he or she is earning “points” for each magazine sold. In some of the
instances, the person making the pitch said they were earning points for a
Hawaiian vacation; in other cases the sales person claimed there was a “boy-versus-girl” competition, with the
winning team receiving high-dollar electronic prizes.
According to the sales pitch given, the sales person can sell additional points for certain magazines. If a customer agrees to
purchase magazines, they are often asked for at least a portion of the
sale to be in cash, with the sales person telling the customer they would “get the points recorded today” if they
could have at least part of the payment in cash.
In many cases, the magazines never arrive and the sales person is, in fact, part of a traveling team with no school affiliation.
Typically, most of the money goes to sales “agents” who
pocket the cash. There have also been reports of young people abandoned in communities far from home by the unscrupulous
middle-men.
The company involved is Atlantic Circulation of York, Penn., which has an extensive history of complaints with the Better
Business Bureau.
According to reports on file with the Better Business Bureau of Washington, DC – which covers eastern Pennsylvania
where Atlantic Circulation is located – it has received 150 complaints
on the company in the last 36 months and 52 complaints in the last 12 months. Most of the complaints were related to
“selling practices.”
The BBB of Washington also showed the company had a separate address in Mountville, Penn.
In addition to having two listed addressed, a host of “sales groups” with different names have reportedly been
clearing subscriptions through Atlantic Circulation. Some of those sales
groups include:
- Atlantic Periodical Sales Inc
- Berlingeri Sales
- Condella Sales
- Double Douce Subscription Inc
- Foster Sales
- G T Sales
- Jamison Sales
- King Sales
- Lamb Sales Inc
- McLemore Sales
- Platinum Plus
- Red Hot Sales
- Robinson Sales
- Strictly Business Inc
- Stubbs Sales
- Success Unlimited Associates Inc
- United Subscription Service Corp
- White Sales
- Yingst Sales
Before making a decision on purchasing magazines from a door-to-door salesperson, the Better Business Bureau urges
consumers to consider the fact the National Consumers League estimates that 50,000
children nationwide are involved in traveling sales crews selling consumer items door-to-door and on city street corners. The
youth groups are often transported hundreds of miles from their homes,
often across state lines.
Many of the young people are victims themselves. The National Consumers League has consistently ranked “traveling
crews” among the worst jobs available for youth and indicates that they
can also constitute a dangerous environment.
Anyone wanting more information about door-to-door magazine sale scams, or wanting to file a complaint, can contract the
Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston at 713-868-9500 or go to the website
at www.bbb.org.
By: John Pape
InstantnewsKaty.com
http://instantnewskaty.com
Houston, Texas Read This Story
Concord, California
Magazine sellers invade the Clayton Valley
December 17, 2010 Magazine sellers invade the Clayton Valley
Posted By: CLAYCORD.com (Email) | December 17 2010 at 11:09 PM
SFGate
San Francisco Chronicle
Editor's note: This is an SFGate.com In Contra Costa Blog. These blog
posts are not written or edited by SFGate or the San Francisco Chronicle. The
authors are solely responsible for the content.
If you live in the Clayton Valley Highlands area of Concord, then chances are you were visited by some of the VERY pushy
magazine salesmen/women we've been talking about lately. The salespeople are
from Illinois, and have had the cops called on them A LOT lately. They're staying in Martinez, and from what I hear, the
company sent about 40 of them out here to sell the mags. Remember, just say NO
to door-to-door solicitors without a permit!
Posted By: CLAYCORD.com
SFGate
San Francisco Chronicle
http://www.sfgate.com
San Francisco, California Read This Story
Laredo, Texas
Door To Door Sales a Scam?
December 15, 2010 Door To Door Sales a Scam?
By KGNS News
Story Created: Dec 15, 2010
(Story Updated: Dec 16, 2010 )
Calls have come into our newsroom about a group of people going door to
door throughout Laredo attempting to sell magazine subscriptions.
The callers were worried that this could be a scam based off on some of the interactions that have been reported. Pro 8 News
reporter Ryan Bailey spoke to some of those concerned and brings us more
in our top story at ten.
Door to door sales have slowly died out of our culture and for this reason some Laredoans found it strange when a group of
people were knocking on their doors attempting to sell them magazine
subscriptions. To one trained salesman he knew something wasn't right when the man talked about needing to sell the most to
win $15,000 for college.
"I guess that was the first sign to me that something wasn't right because he didn't mention anything about financial aid or student
loans or anything like that."
Another man that had a run in with this crew said they started off the interaction by yelling at him.
"I had the front door open and I was at the rear of the house and I heard someone kind of yelling."
He also said one of the people went so far as to demand his neighbor go to the ATM to pay for the subscription. Mr. Prince said
the man that approached him went so far as to swear in front of
him.
"He was swearing as if it was normal speech and stuff like that. Having been a salesman in the past, I knew a trained salesman
will never swear at someone he's trying to sell something to."
According to one of the men, he doesn’t think the $25 they would get out of you for the subscription is their end game.
He thinks they are looking for much more.
"You don't know who they are involved with and they are just testing. They will see what's all around and they'll make their own
report and target a place, a vehicle, a house."
He says the best way to combat these types of scams is to be knowledgeable and keep an eye around your neighborhood.
"It's up to us. Whenever we see this stuff, call the police and have it reported."
Ryan Bailey, Laredo's Pro 8 News.
Laredo police warn that you should never invite these people into your home and if you feel threatened to not open your door.
Some of the other warning signs these men displayed were that they were
dressed unprofessionally, had no contact info and even pressed for one person to go to the ATM for money. While not all these
door-to-door sales are a scam, you should be skeptical and ask as many
questions as possible.
By KGNS News
http://www.pro8news.com
Laredo, Texas Read This
Story
Stewart and Houston counties, Tennessee
Solicitors shown the door in Dover, Ridge
December 14, 2010 Solicitors shown the door in Dover, Ridge
BY KEVIN SAULS • THE STEWART HOUSTON TIMES • December 14,
2010
Some suspicious solicitors have been asked to take their efforts elsewhere
by authorities in both Stewart and Houston counties.
A team of from a half-dozen to perhaps almost a dozen out-of-state solicitors was in Dover and Tennessee Ridge last week,
purportedly selling magazine subscriptions door-to-door.
In Dover, they ignored no-solicitor postings at the Cambridge and Ridgecrest senior complexes, and in both towns they made
some residents uncomfortable by asking to come into their homes and by
knocking on doors after dark.
Calls of complaint were received at the Dover Police Department and the Houston County Sheriff's Office in Erin.
"We just told them, basically, they had to move on," said Dover Chief of Police Kim Wallace.
"They loaded up and left," said Houston County Sheriff Darrell Allison.
Wallace said the solicitors actually were trying to sell subscriptions, whether they had ulterior motives or not.
"This bunch wasn't as rough as the previous bunch," Wallace said. "Some of (the previous group) didn't even have driver's
licenses and one of them was wanted in another state for doing this same
thing."
Both Wallace and Allison warned that under no circumstances should unfamiliar persons be allowed into a home.
"If you don't know them, the best thing would be just tell them to have a nice day and shut the door," Wallace said.
"Never let anyone in your house that you don't know, to use the facilities or to get food, or anything," Allison said. "That's how
people slip in and take advantage of our senior citizens."
He said bi-county residents seem particularly susceptible to solicitation scams because of their giving nature. "People who live
here," Allison said, "are always willing to help."
The sheriff and the chief said no thefts have been reported that were connected to the solicitors.
BY KEVIN SAULS • THE STEWART HOUSTON
TIMES
http://www.theleafchronicle.com
Clarksville, Tennessee Read This Story
Phoenix, Arizona
Proposed law would restrict door-to-door salesmen
December 11, 2010 Proposed law would restrict door-to-door salesmen
Posted: Saturday, December 11, 2010 11:00 am
By Ari Cohn Ahwatukee Foothills News
A proposed Phoenix law meant to regulate when and how door-to-door
solicitors may approach homes could impose fines of up to $2,500 for such things
as failing to leave when asked and disturbing residents' privacy.
The proposed law could restrict solicitors' access to certain hours, require them to carry approved identification, bar them from
peering through windows, and prevent them from leaving fliers on the
doors of homes that post signs saying they are not wanted, said Jerome Miller, deputy city manager. The proposal also calls for
the creation of a police code specific to door-to-door solicitors so
that law enforcement can track infractions when residents call 911, Miller said.
The City Council is slated to consider the issue in January.
Ahwatukee Foothills residents have had problems with such solicitors. Earlier this year, Salt River Project officials reported that
two men had been posing as either SRP or Southwest Gas employees
and were attempting to get into homes, saying they were there for an energy audit or to check a water heater.
Police also have warned residents about young people, often working for out-of-state operations, going door-to-door peddling
everything from magazines to candy, accepting residents' credit card
numbers and checks and then failing to deliver the product.
And there were reports this year of people peddling cleaning products door-to-door in Ahwatukee who became rude and
refused to leave when residents declined to buy.
Councilman Sal DiCiccio, whose district includes Ahwatukee, said he's been bothered at home, as well.
"I've had a guy swearing at me at my door," he said of a solicitor who claimed to live in the neighborhood and was asking for
donations. DiCiccio said the man became angry when the councilman pressed
him on where exactly he lived.
Supporters of the proposed restrictions have said that requiring solicitors to obtain licenses could help weed out those attempting
to commit fraud and potential burglars.
Chris Gentis, a former Phoenix police lieutenant who now serves as a member of the Ahwatukee Foothills Village Planning
Committee and the Ahwatukee Board of Management, said the licensing proposal
has merit.
"If it makes people feel safer, then I guess it's a good thing," Gentis said. "It really bothers a lot of the older people."
By Ari Cohn Ahwatukee Foothills News
Phoenix, Arizona
http://www.ahwatukee.com Read This
Story
England
Cold callers frozen out to protect the elderly
December 11, 2010 Cold callers frozen out to protect the elderly
By emma king emma.king@thesentinel.co.uk
The Sentinel
Saturday, December 11, 2010, 09:005
DOORSTEP salesman have been banned from a neighbourhood to protect
old and vulnerable residents.
A No Cold Calling zone has been set up in the Caroline Street area of Longton.
It means that doorstep-sellers are committing an offence if they knock on people's doors within the zone.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council Trading Standards, police and the fire service have joined forces to ban door-to-door salesmen
from almost 300 homes.
The zone, which is the city's 11th this year, was launched yesterday at Longton Community Church.
Residents were invited to talk to officers from the council, police and fire service about the dangers of doorstep crime.
The scheme aims to protect elderly residents from rogue traders and distraction burglars by helping them to be more aware of
the dangers of uninvited callers.
Val Edmonds, advice manager for Stoke-on-Trent Trading Standards, said: "Rogue traders will cold call at vulnerable people's
homes and offer to do a job for a reasonable price, like roofing,
resurfacing their drive or gardening, then hike up the price.
"It's about empowering the elderly so they feel confident in how they handle people knocking on their door."
No Cold Calling signs have been put up on lampposts to warn traders, and residents have been given stickers to display in their
windows.
Peter Hall, neighbourhood co-ordinator for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, who initiated setting up the Caroline Street
zone, told The Sentinel: "This area was identified as a potential cold
calling zone because there were a lot of bungalows which had been the subject of bogus callers.
"People are conned out of a lot of money. This initiative is about trying to protect them."
PC Lisa Joynson, who is the local neighbourhood officer for Sandford Hill and Meir Hay, said: "A lot of elderly people are very
trusting so we want to raise awareness of cold calling to make them a
bit more cautious."
Residents in Caroline Street have welcomed the No Cold Calling zone.
Mary James, aged 76, pictured, said: "I think the zone is a very good idea. Cold calling is something people worry about and
there are a lot of elderly people living in this street. I think it will
help reassure people."
Dora Robinson, aged 72, said: "Hopefully the signs will discourage rogue traders. These people knock on our doors because
they think we're an easy target.
"I never answer the door unless someone shows me genuine identification."
By emma king emma.king@thesentinel.co.uk
The Sentinel
http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk
England Read
This Story
Tyler, Texas
Restrictions of a Salesman
December 8, 2010 Restrictions of a Salesman
KLTV
Posted: Dec 08, 2010 6:08 PM CST
Updated: Dec 09, 2010 7:39 AM CST
TYLER, TX (KLTV) - The process to amend the solicitation ordinance all
started after police got several complaints about the sales techniques used
by door to door solicitors. "This past summer and the past fall we received numerous complaints from citizens about some
aggressive or what I would call aggressive solicitation in and around the
neighborhoods," said Gary Swindle, Tyler Police Chief Chief Gary Swindle proposed the changes he felt were needed. "Those
hours are now 10 am to sunset Monday through Saturday solicitation is not
allowed on Sunday or major holidays and those holidays are listed on the ordinance," said Chief Swindle. With the new rules
homeowners who post a "No Solicitation" sign are allowed to call the police
if solicitors bother them. They can also be ticketed. "I like it because a lot of people we work different shifts at different jobs and
when you come home you want to relax you don't want to worry
about someone knocking at your door at 6 O' clock in the morning and waking you up," said Nancy Mills, Tyler Resident.
However, not everyone in the community feels the change is necessary. "Going
door to door there's nothing wrong with that but I understand you want your privacy and your space I understand that but to me
it is a little harsh," said Treston Blount, Tyler Resident. Right now,
changing the new rules will be a hard sell. The solicitation ordinance will apply to all Tyler residents whether you live in a house,
apartment or duplex. The ordinance will go into effect next
week.
Lies Criminals Use To Get Into Your Home
December 8, 2010 Lies Criminals Use To Get Into Your Home
Wednesday, December 8th, 2010 at 12:10 pm
Author: Johnny Jenkins
Healthy Home Smart
Title: Lies Criminals Use To Get Into Your Home
Article: In this day and age, its sometimes difficult to know when someone is
trying to take advantage of you. The news is full of incidents where
people were trying to help another, only to become a victim themselves. While it is not possible to plan for every scam, it is
possible to increase your awareness and decrease your odds of becoming a
victim. The home is an area that lends itself to many types of crimes. Knowing what to look for can save your life. Criminals have
been know to pose as stranded motorists to gain entry into your
home. There may come a knock at your door with a vulnerable looking character on the other side. They may seem panicked or
in a state of emergency. You become pressured to offer assistance. When you
open the door others push the door in and gain entry. If you really want to help, call the police and let them do there job. If it is a
legitimate emergency, thats really the only help you can safely
offer. Criminals will stop at nothing to trick you into opening your door. Its not uncommon for a criminal to pose as a salesman or
some other type of solicitor. While it is nice to help legitimate
organizations, it is probably a better idea to contribute through the home office or website. Most of them should have one. With
very few exceptions, you should not invite people in who are selling
door-to-door . It can lead to trouble. Even if they are legitimate, you never really know who is watching and assessing your
vulnerability. Opening your door for strangers is viewed as a weakness by
criminals. Another popular cover for criminals is religious groups. Beware of the stranger at your front door with the donation
basket. In this age of technology very few legitimate charities
practice house-to-house collections. Most use websites or the mail for advertising and provide return envelops for donations. If
you open your door to this type soliciting, you may get more than you
bargain for. If you want to contribute do so at the local Wal-Mart where there is no end to the number of charities. A simple I am
not interested, may persuade a would be criminal that you are aware
of your surroundings. Always know there is a possibility that things may go wrong. There is nothing unusual about people getting
lost. You may not think twice about opening your door if someone is
asking for directions. This is one of the most common ploys criminal use to gain access to your home. They may even go as far
as to have an official looking vehicle and uniform. If they are truly
lost, they should have a home office to contact and get on the right track. You should not be lured by this deception. Offer to call
the police and watch them scatter. The telephone is high on the
list of ways criminals gain access to your home. They may say something like, my car broke down and my child is sick.
Sometimes, there maybe a woman who appears to be pregnant accompanying the
criminal. In recent news a gentleman opened his door for someone who claimed an emergency an asked to use the phone. He
was stabbed to death by what turned out to be a drifter. Circumstances could
have been easily changed if he had just offered to call the police instead. If they are legitimate they will not mind waiting. The
tricks are endless. Death or the possibility of death is often used
by criminals to scam their way into your home. The thought of someone dying may invoke panic in the resident being asked for
help. Sometimes it enough to get the door to your home open. If someone is
dying their best treatment is the nearest emergency dispatch. Opening your door in the middle of the night will not change the
circumstances. If it is legitimate, calling for the right help may save
the life. If it is not, it may save yours. Do not consider opening your door, call for help and teach your children to do the same. If
you have children your security is decreased immensely. Every
child adds a thousand variables to what is already a complicated situation. Criminals sometimes pose as relatives to get children
to open your home door. Children are trusting and tend to believe an
adult if they look and sound legitimate. Criminals may conduct very detailed research about a family, and will use the information
to gain entry into the home. Children must be taught awareness at a
very early age. Trouble is often plentiful and free for the asking. The offer of a free gift is a trick used by criminals. The days are
long gone when you could open your door to everyone bearing a
free gift. Sometimes the gifts are elaborate. You should remember the adage, that you already possess the things that are truly
free, and that nothing much else is free. Flat out refusing the offer
can save you the absolutely free trouble that may come your way if you open the door. Do not open your home door to accept
free gifts. Keep trouble at bay by keeping your door closed. Criminals may
pretend they are looking for a lost pet to get into your home. A sad face shows up at your door. He asks if you have seen his lost
dog. He says, the dog has never been lost and he is afraid it will
be hurt. If you open your door to talk it over you may be attacked. There are organizations to handle this kind of problem. You
should not test fate and open your door to discuss the situation. A
simple, I have not seen the pet yelled through the door should suffice. Johnny A. Jenkins, Distribution Director of Repeller
Technology, provides self-defense, safety and hidden surveillance
equipment, tips and advice to fit most situations. Make your surroundings safer for you and loved ones today at: Repeller
Technology.
Syndication Source: ThoughtSearch.com
Author: Johnny Jenkins
Healthy Home Smart
http://healthyhomesmart.com Read This
Story
Thibodaux, Louisiana
Keep an eye on door-to-door salespeople DMPG Info:
Door-to-Door Magazine
Sales Company:
D2D LLC
Magazine Sales Clearinghouse:
Monitoring Services Network
a.k.a.: American Cash Awards, Inc.
Website: American Cash Awards
BBB: BBB: American Cash Awards
BBB: Monitoring Services Network
Original Business Start Date: 01/20/2010
BBB Rating: F
Name: Monitoring Services Network
Phone: (888) 888-9025
Address: PO Box 1030
Kittredge, CO 80457
Website: www.americanawards.com
travelworkplay.com
Original Business Start Date: January 2010
Principal: Dona Funches
Customer Contact: Dona Funches - (888) 888-9025
Type of Business: Magazine Sales
BBB Accreditation: This company is not a BBB Accredited business.
Additional DBA Names: ACA Clearinghouse
American Cash Awards, Inc.
Products and Services
Monitoring Services Network is a processing clearing house and customer service center for many door to door retail
organizations. The companies contracting with Monitoring Services Network are
traveling sales organizations, and are not owned by Monitoring Services Network. If you have a complaint against one of these
traveling sales companies please file the complaint on the traveling
sales company directly and not against Monitoring Services Network.
Below is a list of companies that Monitoring Services Network handles processing for:
D2D Consulting
Frontline Communications
HP Consulting
MD Networks
Preferred Consulting Services
Prime Time Consulting
Monitoring Services Network no longer handles processing for:
Carpathian Sales, Coast to Coast Subscriptions, Colossal Marketing, Crown Sales, Dow Marketing, DowdCo, Dynasty
Technologies, Inc, Editorials International, Face Off, Inc, Face to Face Technologies
Inc, Family Subscriptions, Fit for Life Network, Inc, Future Business Executives, Inc., Gemini Subscriptions, Inc, Global
Marketing, Gold Coast Circulation Inc, Lions Pride Marketing, Love
Technologies, Inc, Miami Dream Team, Monarch Marketing, New Image Sales Inc, No Limit Sales, Northwood Marketing
Company, Obsession Sales, OK Marketing, Partners In Success, Peak Sales, Performance
Clearing Services, Power and Pride Marketing, Power Star Sales, Preferred Consulting Company, Rainbow Sales Inc, Reviste
LLC, Royal Subscriptions, SB Magazine, Second to None Inc, SYN, Inc, TBA
Developments Inc, Tenacious Sales, Titan Sales, TNT Promotions, Inc, Triton Sales, Tyrannize Sales, Urban Development
Solutions, Inc., Urban Success Inc, Unique Subscription Agency Inc, Yoli &
Associates Inc.
end DMPG Info December 8, 2010 Keep an eye on door-to-door salespeople
houmatoday.com
Published: Wednesday, December 8, 2010 at 2:51 p.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, December 8, 2010 at 2:51 p.m.
THIBODAUX — A Thibodaux woman wants to warn others about a
student selling magazines door-to-door for a company believed to be a scam. Ashley
Simoneaux, a resident of the Rienzi subdivision in Thibodaux, said a young woman sold her $63 worth of subscriptions to kids'
magazines, saying the money would help pay for a trip to Paris. But after
the personal questions asked made her suspicious, she researched the company, D2D LLC, and found a raft of complaints
online against the company and others like it. According to the Better Business
Bureau, to which she reported the incident, such companies will promise magazines but never send them or charge checking
accounts for more than the amount of the check written. That doesn't mean all
such vendors are fakes. Just research the company first to be sure your money is truly going to a worthy cause. If the sales
tactics or business practices of any company make you uncomfortable, visit
www.bbb.org or call the local branch at 856-7621.
houmatoday.com
http://www.houmatoday.com
Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana
Houma, Louisiana Read This Story
Clarksville, Tennessee
Police Say Magazine Scam Yields $200
December 8, 2010 Police Say Magazine Scam Yields $200
Sales Go Toward Trip, Seller Says
Reported By Forrest Sanders
WSMV
POSTED: 5:45 pm CST December 8, 2010
UPDATED: 6:39 pm CST December 8, 2010
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. -- Some thieves are apparently taking advantage of
shoppers' holiday spirit. According to Clarksville police, two shoppers at
Governors Square Mall were approached by someone claiming to be selling magazines. The seller said he was raising money for
a trip, and that if the shoppers bought the magazines, they could get a
slip for tax returns. The shoppers bought $200 worth of magazines, but police said they've been scammed. "This is not an
uncommon thing during this time of the year," said Clarksville police Capt.
Craig Gipson. "People's generosity during the holiday season, they want to help people out; they want to do good. But they tend
to let their generosity override their common sense." Gipson said
anyone approached by a solicitor should make sure they have a permit from the city. He said the mall manager can also be
contacted to make sure that solicitor is supposed to be there.
Reported By Forrest Sanders
WSMV
http://www.wsmv.com
Nashville, Tennessee Read This Story
Mercersburg, Pennsylvania
Charges filed for door-to-door sales DMPG Info: Door-to-Door Magazine
Sales Company:
Duncan Inc.
end DMPG Info December 8, 2010 Charges filed for door-to-door sales
The Record Herald
Posted Dec 08, 2010 @ 07:00 AM
MERCERSBURG — Eric Duncan, 26, was charged with failure to
obtain a retail business permit after Mercersburg police received complaints of two
men going door-to-door selling magazines Nov. 27. Police said the salesmen were Danny Smith and Garland McMahan,
employees of Duncan Inc., a Federal Way, Wash., business owned by Duncan. Duncan
admitted he did not apply for a permit, according to police.
Waynesboro Record Herald
http://www.therecordherald.com
Waynesboro, Pennsylvania
Columbia City, Indiana
Door-to-door salesman danger
December 6, 2010 Door-to-door salesman danger
Whitley Co. Police looking for man and van
Chris Hopper
Elizabeth Fields
WANE-TV
Updated: Tuesday, 07 Dec 2010, 5:16 PM EST
Published : Monday, 06 Dec 2010, 11:26 PM EST
COLUMBIA CITY, Ind. (WANE) - Tuesday some people in Whitley
County are scared to death as police follow new leads in the investigation of a
potentially dangerous door-to-door salesman.
Police told NewsChannel 15 on Tuesday three other counties have had similar salesmen in their area, but they were not
threatening. Police said they did use a similar method to sell the product.
Whitley County police do believe there's a possibility the salesman was actually trying to sell his cleaning supplies before the
woman became nauseated by the chemicals.
On Friday, a van pulled into a Southern Whitley County driveway and a man got out. He knocked on the door and a woman
answered. He asked her if she had heard of a new home cleaner and pulled out a
spray bottle full of liquid. He put it up close to her face and she was immediately overwhelmed by the fumes. She was dizzy and
nauseated. The woman managed to slam the door and crawl to her phone to
call police. The man ran.
"We're trying to determine if this was a sales situation that just kind of turned bad and the sales person got scared and left," said
Sheriff Mark Hodges, Whitley County.
Until police figure out exactly what happened people in Whitley County told NewsChannel 15 on Tuesday they will continue to
be on high alert.
"I've lived in other places, but I wouldn't expect it here," said Shirley Bergman.
"We always look out the window first and I never let my kids answer the door," said Christina Nichols.
Now, Sheriff Mark Hodges says they need the public’s help.
They are looking for a male in his mid 30’s. He has short dark hair and was driving a white van. The van had some sort
of graphic on the side and a luggage rack on the top. There may have been
one or two more men the van.
Hodges told NewsChannel 15, they’re not sure what kind of chemical was used or what could cause such an immediate
reaction. He said the victim was lucky and did everything right.
“She was somewhat hesitant to open the door according to our reports, but she did as best she could,” he said.
“In an effort to be as safe as she could and she was able to get away
from the individual and get the doors closed and make the phone call, which was exactly what she should have
done.”
NewsChannel 15 talked with the victim, who doesn’t want to be identified. She said she is still very scared the man
might come back, but wants others to be warned and aware.
In her own words, she told NewsChannel 15 what happened.
"It smelled like ammonia and the nitrous oxide at the dentist, but like times 100, “she said. “If I had stood there
for two seconds more, it would have knocked me out.” Once she got
the door closed she went for her cell phone. "I didn't have my phone in my pocket so I crawled to my jacket to get it out of that
pocket. He watched me through the window the whole time until I
dialed and then he ran,” she said.
Hodges said there haven’t been any other reports of similar attacks in Whitley County or in the surrounding area. He is
sending out the information state-wide and to bordering states to see if
they can track down the men involved. He wants people to be cautious when answering their doors.
Anyone with information is asked to call Whitley County Sheriffs Department at (260) 244-6410.
Chris Hopper
Elizabeth Fields
WANE-TV
http://www.wane.com
FORT WAYNE, INDIANA Read This Story
Martinez, California
Magazine Salesmen & The John Muir Inn DMPG Info: Door-to-Door
Magazine Sales Company:
Paragon Magazine Sales
Door-to-Door Magazine Sales Clearinghouse
Midwest Clearing, Inc.
3649 W 183rd St.
Suite 101
Hazel Crest, IL 60429
phone (708) 206-2001
fax (708) 206-2005
Web Site: http://www.midwestclearing.com Midwest Clearing
BBB Rating: F
Business Contact and Profile for Midwest Clearing, Inc.
Name: Midwest Clearing, Inc.
Phone: (708) 206-2001
Fax: (708) 206-2005
Address: 3649 W 183rd St Ste 101
Hazel Crest, IL 60429-2483
Website: www.midwestclearing.com
Original Business Start Date: June 2004
Principal: Mr. Andre` Walker Sr., President
Customer Contact: Mr. Andre` Walker Sr., President - (708) 206-2004
Type of Business: Magazines - Dealers, Fund Raising Counselors & Orgs, Magazine Sales, Magazines - Subscription
Agents, Magazines Sold Door-to-Door
BBB Accreditation: Midwest Clearing, Inc. is not a BBB Accredited business.
end DMPG Info December 3, 2010 Magazine Salesmen & The John Muir Inn
claycord.com
December 3, 2010 12:00 pm
Earlier this week, we told you a group of 40 or so people from Illinois who
work for Paragon Magazine Sales are staying at the John Muir Inn for the
next month. The group has already been asked to turn down extremely loud music, which they refused to do, so the cops were
called the other night. And now, last night, people at the Inn called police
once again to say they could smell marijuana coming from the group’s floor. I’m sure the people at the John
Muir Inn appreciate this business coming to Martinez (sarcasm). Have any of
these people come to your house since we posted our last story?
claycord.com
http://claycord.com
Martinez, California Read This Story
Rutherford County, Tennessee
Magazine subscription sales not affiliated with MTSU
December 1, 2010 Magazine subscription sales not affiliated with MTSU
The Daily News Journal • December 1, 2010
dnj.com
Individuals claiming to be students selling magazine subscriptions door-to-
door for MTSU are not affiliated with the university, officials said
today.
MTSU doesn’t have students going door-to-door selling things to benefit the university,” said Tom Tozer,
director of MTSU’s Office of News and Public Affairs. “Fundraising for
MTSU departments, scholarships and the like generally are handled by our Development Office, and anyone working with them
will have the appropriate identification. You’ll probably also have
heard some publicity about the fundraising event from our office, if it’s an appropriately university-sanctioned event."
Concerned residents across the state contact MTSU from time to time to
report questionable activities by people representing themselves as salespeople for MTSU, Tozer added.
One recent caller said a young man has been soliciting magazine subscriptions around Murfreesboro to fund Army ROTC
scholarships at the university. The MTSU Military Science Department is not raising
funds this way, officials said, and the name given by the alleged salesman is not valid.
“We simply encourage folks to trust their good sense and not fall victim to this kind of activity,” Tozer said.
“We appreciate that our neighbors want to help our students, but the
best way to do that is through our Development Office.”
Citizens approached by individuals claiming to be selling items to raise funds for MTSU can also report the activity to their local
police departments.
The Daily News Journal
http://www.dnj.com
Rutherford County, Tennessee Read This Story
Martinez, California
Magazine salesmen from the State of Illinois on the loose in CLAYCORD
November 29, 2010 Magazine salesmen from the State of Illinois on the loose in
CLAYCORD
claycord.com
November 29, 2010 14:55 pm
On November 22nd, a caller phoned the Martinez Police to complain about
the noise coming from the back parking lot of the John Muir Inn in
Martinez.
When Police arrived, here’s what they found out about the men who refused to turn down their music….
Reporting party advised 15-20 black male adults in the back parking lot
playing loud music and loud talking. Reporting party has asked them to be
quiet and they refuse.
This is a group from Illinois with the company selling magazine subscriptions. Reporting party advised they have 40 rooms rented
for another 2-3 weeks.
I’ve received several reports of aggressive magazine salesmen lately, so these are probably the guys. If you
ever feel threatened by anybody coming to your door, don’t be
afraid to call the police, no matter who it is.
claycord.com
http://claycord.com
Martinez, California Read This
Story
Hephzibah, Georgia
Richmond County Sheriff's Office says be watchful of door to door sales people
November 29, 2010 Richmond County Sheriff's Office says be watchful of door to
door sales people
One woman caught people snooping around her property.
Officers say door to door sales people aren't always who the claim to be.
Reporter: Trishna Begam
Email Address: trishna.begam@wrdw.com
WRDW-TV News 12
Posted: 9:09 AM Nov 29, 2010
News 12 This Morning at 6 o'clock, Monday, November 29, 2010
HEPHZIBAH, Ga --- Door to door salesmen can pose a big threat during the holidays. Thieves eyeing all the new presents you
just purchased after Black Friday sales might look for a way into your
home.
Relatives and kids staying home need to know who to let in and who to keep out during the day.
Laurie Holbrook lives in Hephzibah and her home is equipped with the latest security system and camera. She wants to make
sure she's protected at all times.
"I know people that have been robbed from people they let into their home." said Holbrook.
Even with all the security in place she says it doesn't stop some from snooping around her house. She's even witnessed some in
the act. "This year we've had two people, that when we don't answer the
door they look in the window," explained Holbrook.
She called the Sheriff's Office immediately and she went a step further and called the local ADT Security Service office, which is
the company the last person at her door claimed they were with, but
ADT told Holbrook they had no one in her neighborhood.
"It made me nervous, because if she thought I wasn't home she could break in," added Holbrook.
Captain Scott Peebles with the Richmond County Sheriff's Office says, "There just no way for you to know if they are who they
say they are. If they are with a reputable company or not."
The Sheriff's Office says Holbrook did the right thing by calling investigators and double checking with the company to see if
there were employees in the area.
"The only people you should let in your home is people you know and trust," said Captain Peebles, "and people you've
scheduled to be there."
Officers say many times thieves will try to check out your house first to get in idea of what is inside and how to get around. "We
know a lot of companies who sell magazines have hired people with
extensive criminal histories." said Peebles.
Holbrook just wants it to stop and says if it happens again she'll let the Sheriff's Office know right away.
Investigators say there isn't any company badge or I.D. that you can trust to make sure the person is legitimate. Unless you have
an appointment and know they need to be at your house, the best thing
you can do is not open the door.
Reporter: Trishna Begam
Email Address: trishna.begam@wrdw.com
WRDW-TV News 12
http://www.wrdw.com
Augusta, Georgia Read This Story
Annapolis, Maryland
Salesman gets 2 years in sex offense
November 23, 2010 Public Record
Salesman gets 2 years in sex offense
State: May have attacked second 'intellectually disabled' woman
By SCOTT DAUGHERTY, Staff Writer
The Capital
Capital Gazette Communications Published 11/23/10
Jarvis
Spain Courtesy
photo
A magazine salesman charged earlier this year with raping an autistic woman he met while going door to door in Arnold may
have attacked another intellectually disabled woman before he was arrested,
according to county prosecutors.
An attorney for Jarvis Spain, 21, of Chicago, maintained in court last week that both incidents last April were consensual, but
Assistant State's Attorney Pamela Alban noted that both victims were
similarly situated, that both women reported them to police as sexual assaults, and that the facts in both incidents were nearly
identical.
While calling the alleged pattern disturbing, prosecutors decided Thursday not to take the original victim's case to trial or file
charges in the second case. Alban cited the wishes of the original
victims' family and problems with the second case that probably would have prevented prosecutors from securing a
conviction.
Under a plea agreement that allowed him to maintain his innocence, Spain was convicted of two counts of second-degree assault
and forth-degree sex offense in connection with the April 20 attack on a
29-year-old woman who prosecutors believe has the intellectual ability of a 10- or 11-year-old.
He was sentenced to two years in a county jail, seven months of which he already has served.
In exchange for the pair of Alford pleas, prosecutors dropped seven related charges against Spain - including two counts of
second-degree rape - and agreed to the final sentence.
The victim, who has Asperger's syndrome, and her family did not attend the plea hearing Thursday afternoon in the county's
courthouse in Annapolis.
"It was just too difficult for them to come into this courtroom today," Alban told Circuit Court Judge Paul A. Hackner, according
to a court recording.
The Capital does not name the victims of sexual assaults.
According to prosecutors, the woman was alone about 2:30 p.m. at her parents' home when Spain knocked on the door in an
attempt to sell magazine subscriptions. He asked and was allowed to use the
bathroom.
Inside the house, Spain asked her if she had a boyfriend. When she said no, he hugged and kissed her in the kitchen. Alban said
he then took her into the living room and forced her to have sex.
The victim did not tell him to stop, but only because she was in shock, Alban said.
After the assault, the victim said her parents would be home soon. He left the house about 2:40 p.m. and she called 911. Alban
noted that in light of the victim's autism, there was some question
about whether she could prove at trial that Spain was guilty of second-degree rape.
"The statutory requirement that are set forth … are incredibly difficult to meet, and in this case there was some question
about whether the state could meet its statutory burden," she said,
noting that the same would have been true if charges had been filed in the second case.
Details about the second case were not mentioned Thursday in court, except that it happened before the April 20 incident and
was reported after Spain was arrested.
Assistant Public Defender Heather Tierney, Spain's defense attorney, said last week she had a different view of the cases than
the state.
"He thought it was consensual … She never said no during the actual sex act," Tierney said of the April 20 incident, noting
that Spain did not leave the area after he left her house and
continued to go door to door selling magazines.
Tierney added that the victim's disability is not always evident, noting she graduated from high school with a 2.2 grade-point
average and works at a local supermarket.
Tierney said the second alleged victim was "even more articulate" than the original victim and "never said no to that incident
because she was lonely."
Best arrangement
Hackner described the plea agreement as "the best arrangement that could be hammered out given the difficult circumstances,"
but stressed that he did not believe this was a "minor
misunderstanding."
Hackner sentenced Spain to 10 years with all but 17 months suspended.
Upon his release, Spain will be on supervised probation for five years and required to register as a sex offender. He may transfer
his probation to Illinois.
Before he is released, however, Spain must undergo an evaluation to determine if he has any mental problems or sexual
compulsions.
"Maybe there is nothing going on. Maybe you are just one of those guys who happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I don't know. But I want to at least make sure there is an evaluation
done," he said, according to a court recording.
By SCOTT DAUGHERTY, Staff Writer
The Capital
Capital Gazette Communications
http://www.hometownannapolis.com
Annapolis, Maryland Read This
Story
DMPG Info Clip:
Police reports indicate that Jarvis Lamon Spain
was employed by Paragon Sales Inc. A.K.A.:
Midwest Clearing, Inc.
3649 W 183rd St.
Suite 101
Hazel Crest, IL 60429
phone (708) 206-2001
fax (708) 206-2005
Web Site: http://www.midwestclearing.com Midwest Clearing
Anne Arundel County Police Department
Criminal Investigation Division
41 Community Place Crownsville, Maryland
Phone 410-222-3470 Fax 410-222-3764
A/Sergeant B. Isaac #1525
Denton, Texas
Blotter:
November 23, 2010 Blotter:
By Donna Fielder / Staff Writer
Denton Record-Chronicle
07:50 AM CST on Tuesday, November 23, 2010
9800 block of Angel Bend Road, Denton area — A couple told a
Denton County sheriff’s deputy Saturday that twins distracted them in their
home and stole cash from them.
The couple said the two knocked on their door at about 6:10 p.m. They looked alike and dressed alike, according to the report.
They said they were selling magazines to raise money for a mission
project for a church.
The couple invited them in and ordered two magazines, for a total of $120. The woman removed the cash from inside a small
jewelry box in the room. She originally had $400 in the box, she said.
One of the twins asked to be directed to the bathroom, and the husband showed him the way. While they were gone, the second
twin asked for a drink of water.
The wife left the room to retrieve a plastic cup of water.
He took it, then called to his brother that they needed to leave, the couple said. Both men then quickly left the house.
Later, the woman checked the jewelry box. She found only a $100 bill in the box, according to the police report.
By Donna Fielder / Staff Writer
Denton Record-Chronicle
DONNA FIELDER can be reached at 940-566-6885.
Her e-mail address is dfielder@dentonrc.com.
http://www.dentonrc.com
Denton, Texas Read This
Story
Washington, D.C.
What should you do if someone tries to sell you a magazine subscription for troops overseas?
November 22, 2010 What should you do if someone tries to sell you a magazine
subscription for troops overseas?
By Jeff Schogol
STARS AND STRIPES
Published: November 22, 2010
Laurie Brown, a retired corrections officer living in Dundalk, Md., was
recently approached by a child selling magazines, who told her she could
send them to troops overseas. She dutifully bought a subscription to Muscle and Fitness.
Instead, the magazine arrived at her doorstep. When she called about the matter, she was told that the Defense Department was
inundated with magazines heading overseas, so no more could be sent. She
was also told it was too late to cancel her subscription.
This sounds a lot like a scam, and few things infuriate The Rumor Doctor more than people who take advantage of people who
want to support the troops, so he vowed to find an answer.
The first thing The Doctor discovered was the excuse that there are too many magazines being sent overseas doesn’t
hold up. Both the command for U.S. troops in Iraq and the Military Postal
Service Agency said they were not aware of limitations on how many magazines can be sent downrange.
But you cannot send a magazine downrange without a specific recipient. You must have the name of a servicemember who will
receive the subscription, according to the U.S. Postal Service.
“Previous programs that allowed people to send mail to service members unknown to them were discontinued following
the terrorist attacks of 2001,” according to the postal service’s
website. “This includes the ‘Any Service Member, Any Wounded Warrior, Any Soldier, Sailor, Airman or
Marine’ mail program for military personnel. Mail to ‘Any Service
Member’ will not be delivered. This restriction applies to all classes and types of mail.”
Tracking down the root of the suspected scam proved an exercise in futility. The companies linked to Brown’s allegation
have raised plenty of red flags, and complaints have piled up with the
Better Business Bureau or state attorney general’s office. When The Doctor was able to get someone on the phone, the
problems were alternately attributed to data entry errors or dishonesty
among the independent contractors hawking the subscriptions.
Brown was initially told it was too late for her to cancel her subscription, but after several angry phone calls, she got a refund
check. Now she’s wary of depositing it because she is afraid
it, too, might be a scam.
Brown’s case is not unique. A similar thing happened to Wendy Hoffman, president of Blue Star Mothers of America
Inc., a nonprofit group for mothers of deployed servicemembers and veterans.
This time, it was a man flashing a military identification selling the magazine subscriptions, and Hoffman even paid postage to
send the magazines overseas. Still, they came to her house.
Both consumers and magazine publishers should avoid third parties who sell subscriptions, said Megan Miller, of the Better
Business Bureau in Denver.
“In other words, consumers should buy directly from the publisher and publishers should only sell to
individuals,” Miller said in an e-mail. “The middle men in this industry have a
horrible reputation for ripping people off in various ways so the best advice is to simply avoid them.”
THE RUMOR DOCTOR’S DIAGNOSIS: Don’t trust someone who is selling magazines door-to-door, even
if that person is a youngster who looks innocent. However, there is nothing to stop you from
trying to send magazines directly to someone you know downrange.
By Jeff Schogol
STARS AND STRIPES
http://www.stripes.com
Washington, D.C. Read This
Story
BBB:
Business Name: NXcess Sales, LLC
NXCESS SALES, LLC
BBB Rating: F
Business Address: 24820 N 16th Avenue #110
Phoenix , AZ 85085
Original Business Start Date: 12/9/2009
Local Business Start Date: 12/9/2009
Type of Entity: Limited Liability Company (LLC)
Incorporated: 2009 in AZ
Principal: Mark Speigner, Member
BBB Accreditation: This business is not a BBB Accredited Business
Type of Business: MAGAZINES SOLD DOOR-TO-DOOR
Website Address:
http://www.nxcesssales.com
end DMPG Info November 20, 2010 More incidents involving magazine sales scam reported
Written by
ADVOCATE STAFF REPORT
Newark Advocate
Nov 20, 2010
NEWARK -- Newark police received two additional reports this week
about a fake charity magazing-selling scam from Nov. 4 to 6. Both incidents
occurred on North Terrace Avenue and involved people saying they were selling magazines to raise money for the Newark High
School girls soccer team or Children's Hospital, Newark police Sgt. Scott
Snow said. "We want the word out that people just need to be very careful about this," he said. One woman wrote two checks
for $98 each before canceling her checks, and another woman suffered a $60
loss for canceling a check. One of the checks was made out to a company called Nxcess, according to a police
report.
Written by
ADVOCATE STAFF REPORT
Newark Advocate
http://www.newarkadvocate.com
Newark, Ohio Read This Story
Scammer warning: Magazine salesmen
November 19, 2010 Scammer warning: Magazine salesmen
Ada
adalessa.blogspot.com
Friday, November 19, 2010
Posted at 12:29 PM
Today, I was approached by a young man. He said that he was in a
communications contest, and he was competing against a friend. Therefore, I assumed
he was doing this for a class, because I have a great idea of the asinine shit that a teacher can make his/her students do.
However, he wanted to pull me over to a quiet corner or a seat, where he could talk. I told him no, I'm on my bike and I'll sit on
that. He kept insisting in between what was increasingly starting to
sound like sales pitches.
He sounded like a bright young man, full of vim and vigor, and he was constantly throwing compliments at me left and right. This
set me on guard.
After some extremely speedy babble, he whipped out a bunch of cards and brochures, and that IMMEDIATELY gave me
warning signals. Why?
1. He was a student competing to win a $1000 cash prize.
I have never in my life heard of a legitimate company doing shit like that, even for promotional purposes. No company I know
will encourage their sales personnel to give out details about internal
contests, because that would negatively affect the sales experience. Does an employee at Best Buy tell you, "I'm trying to win
Employee of the Month!" before serving you? Nope.
2. He was trying to sell me a magazine subscription.
Yeah, no magazine does that any more. It's just not worth the expense. Plus, the magazines on his little list were from different
publishers. I don't think Time Inc. and Conde Nast ever signed
anything agreeing for some dipshit little company to sell competing magazines in the same pitch.
3. His brochures were all badly printed and designed on cheap paper, and then laminated terribly.
Yeah, your company look reals legit now. Also, even if your brochure is badly designed, most companies will at least TRY to
align the words right with the edge of the paper. If your text is slanting
off to a corner, you're a sham.
4. His invoice was the kind I could buy myself at any print shop.
Really, even the old guy in the mall who sold baskets had a more credible invoice.
5. When told that I had previously been scammed like this, he panicked.
He said, "Don't let one bad apple ruin it for the rest of us!" Yeah, don't let one scammer stop you and your brothers from getting
money.
I told him no, held on to my purse with one hand, and biked the fuck away. These salesmen can be VERY persuasive. My
brother had been scammed by one, and he was as smooth-talking as anything,
well-dressed, and very, very persuasive. And the magazines never came. My brother is still mad.
For further reading, here's a police warning about
these salesmen, and another one.
Although mine was not door-to-door, they were probably stepping up their game by going out in public.
However, there are MANY ways of doing this scam. Some of them involve completely innocent student salesmen trying to make
a buck for a company whose primary intent is to scam, so the students
themselves may not be aware of the shenanigans. Don't get mad, don't get interrogative, just walk away.
Ada
adalessa.blogspot.com
http://adalessa.blogspot.com Read This
Story
Riverside, California DMPG Info: Door-to-Door Magazine Sales Company:
Coast to Coast Sales, Inc
end DMPG Info November 19, 2010 Report: #664066
Report: Coast to Coast Sales, Inc
Reported By: poofy purple princess (Riverside California United States of America)
Coast to Coast Sales, Inc Marquis Fufillment Agency, LLC Lied about everything - total ripoff in magazine prices
Buford, Georgia
Coast to Coast Sales, Inc
p.o. box 2243
Buford Georgia 30515
United States of America
Phone: 7708317722
Web Address:
Category: Newspapers – Magazines
Submitted: Friday, November 19, 2010
Posted: Friday, November 19, 2010
Londonderry, New Hampshire
Awareness of Traveling Sales Crews that Endanger Our Youth
November 19, 2010 Awareness of Traveling Sales Crews that Endanger Our
Youth
This entry was written by Cynthia Caron,
posted on November 19, 2009 at 12:56 pm,
filed under Uncategorized and tagged awareness,
safety, Traveling Sales Crews, youth.
Londonderry News
An increase in suspicious activities along with endangering our youth seems
to be occurring in the door-to-door magazine sales industry. We are
hearing horror stories that the young people hired to do the jobs are either not getting paid, are withheld from meal tickets and
are sometimes made to sleep on hard floors should they not meet their
daily quota’s. We, at LostNMissing, Inc. are asking that all parents be aware of this potential crime against young
adolescents hoping to make a “break” into the world.
They are promised travel. Which sometimes they are provided. They are taken from their home states and usually to another
state further away. They are “trained” on the magazine sales and
dropped off on street corners to go door to door to sell the magazines.
Many of those who are “employed” are young adolescents who have had problems and this is their
“break” into an adventurous life. It’s also common that those
“employed” are extremely vulnerable young adolescents who have troubled pasts or special need young adults.
We understand they are rarely ever paid for their work. As with all businesses,
some may be legit and are doing a service and following the laws, however, not all. To safeguard, should young magazine sales
folks come to your home, please ask the following questions:
1. Are you ok?
2. Would you like to have me call your parents for you?
3. Are you being fed?
4. Are you being paid for your sales work?
5. Can you go home on your own free will if you choose?
Should they divulge to you that they are “in trouble”, please phone your local police right
away. You just may be their only savior.
The Better Business Bureau has written an article in May 2009
warning consumers of door-to-door fraudulent magazine sales. In the same
article, they talk about how the young folks are also “at risk”.
Missing 2003 Deceased identified: Oct. 2009
Skull found in woods in upper state New York has been identified as Jennifer M. Hammond. She went missing in 2003 while
doing door to door magazine sales. This is not to say that her employer had
anything to do with her missing status or death, however, it does point towards the dangers of vulnerable young adolescents
being away from their familiar surroundings and knocking on doors of
unknowns. Prayers they find whomever caused the death of a young woman only wanting to make a living.
October 2009: When two young men wanted out of magazine sales, they
were beaten with bats and brass knuckles in their motel room. Two were
hospitalized and 6 men arrested.
A horrific van crash of a group of young magazine sales team.The driver bolted from the vehicle and was unlicensed. Drugs and
alcohol played a role, as well. Sentencing was 7 years in jail. One year
for each death.
The below is courtesy of Traveling Sales Crew Information Web Site.
(See link below to their site)
Ad that ran to attract young adolescents:
ABSOLUTE FUN!
XXX is in town and needs 18-25 sharp
& enthusiastic guys & gals. If you are money
motivated and tired of fast food or minimum
wage, we offer 2 week paid training. All expenses
paid. No experience necessary. If you are out-
going and can start immediately, Please call XXX
241-41XX and ask for Mr. HXXXX
(Mon. thru Wed.)
(The above group has already been disbanned and charged with crimes.)
Alcohol and drugs to minors was eliminated from the ad.
The below is the van from the 1999 Janesville, WI crash scene.
Peter Christman, Cory Hanson, Amber Marie Lettman, Crystal Faith McDaniel, Marshall Lee Roberts, Malinda Lillian Turvey,
Joseph Wild all killed in the van crash in Janesville, Wisconsin. They were
young magazine sales youth. 5 others maimed for life, one a quadriplegic 15 year old girl.
To view the memorial page for these young lives, gone too soon, please click here: Van
Crash
Memorial
RESCUE ORGANIZATION FOR TRAVELING SALES
YOUTH
An excellent Organization that has been fighting against door-to-door abuse of traveling sales crews, as well as rescuing those
who may find themselves alone in strange cities is:
Parent Watch
2790 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10025
917.579.4641
A clearinghouse for information on traveling sales crews.
This entry was written by Cynthia Caron,
posted on November 19, 2009 at 12:56 pm,
filed under Uncategorized and tagged awareness,
safety, Traveling Sales Crews, youth.
Londonderry News
http://www.londonderrynh.net
Londonderry, New Hampshire Read This Story
Contra Costa County, California
Bogus Door-to-Door Sales Guys Revisit
November 18, 2010 Police & Fire
Bogus Door-to-Door Sales Guys Revisit
Ours was scratching himself and unable to stand still.
He had a good cover story this time, but it quickly broke down.
You may want to ask these guys some questions before giving them money.
By J.D. O'Connor | November 18, 2010
LamorindaPatch
lamorinda.patch.com
Patch Media Corporation
Credit J.D. O'Connor
Patch had to run off those door-to-door guys again Wednesday when the latest round of con artists started making their way
through the neighborhoods. This time, the obviously tweaking Meth Head on
our doorstep said he was from Amnesty International.
We've written about this before. Groups of these kids are brought in by van and dropped off in neighborhoods in Moraga and
Lafayette. Palo Alto and San Carlos recently cemented their reputations as
visionary communities by banning the groups outright.
Complaints about the door-to-door peddlers have included reports of theft, identity theft and, in one case in Lafayette, murder.
What many people don't know is that these kids are recruited by older
"trainers," sequestered in local hotels and pumped up with bogus stories and a heated sales pitch.
The last guy wouldn't show us his peeling, laminated "I.D." but we got the usual "Good evening, I'm a former bad kid trying to do
good... and today I'm collecting for Amnesty International."
This week's cover story is that Amnesty International needs money to intervene in the case of an Iranian woman sentenced to
death by stoning for adultery. Our solicitor's pupils were blown, he was
scratching himself and jumping from foot to foot.
"When did you do your last meth hit?" I asked, and that drove him off.
Apparently they are in Lafayette on Thursday night.
In the past, they have called themselves "OverAchievers Inc." until we and other media outlets outed them, and now they go by a
variety of other seemingly honest-sounding monikers - including "Fresh
Start." OverAchievers changed its name after one of its "salesmen" pushed his way into the home of a Lafayette woman, raping
and killing her before escaping with items stolen from her home.
They keep coming back, we're told, because people here actually buy their stories and give them money. So, you may want to
ask a few questions before cutting them a check.
By J.D. O'Connor
LamorindaPatch
lamorinda.patch.com
Patch Media Corporation
http://lamorinda.patch.com
Contra Costa County, California Read This
Story
Alachua County, Florida
Police: Beware of door-to-door sellers DMPG Info: Door-to-Door Magazine
Sales Company:
Midwest Circulation LLC
BBB Rating: F
Business Contact and Profile
Name: Midwest Circulation LLC
Phone: (816) 632-2919
Fax: (816) 632-2916
Address: 506 Northland Dr
Cameron, MO 64429-1348
Website: http://www.midwestcirculationllc.com/default.html
Original Business Start Date: August 2009
Principal: Wendy ., Customer Service
Customer Contact: Wendy ., Customer Service - (816) 632-2919
Entity: Limited Liability Company
Incorporated: November 2008, CO
Type of Business: Magazines - Subscription Agents, Magazines Sold Door-to-Door
BBB Accreditation: This company is not a BBB Accredited business.
Business Management
Additional company management personnel include:
Jami
Additional Locations and Phone Numbers
Additional Addresses
3330 Smalley Ter
Kansas City, MO 64129
Additional Phone Numbers
Tel: (816) 632-2917
end DMPG Info November 18, 2010 Police: Beware of door-to-door sellers
They say several members of a magazine-selling group have criminal histories.
By Karen Voyles
Staff writer
Gainesville Sun
Gainsville.com
Published: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at 6:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at 9:24 p.m.
Alachua County deputies have been told to be alert for a group of about 50
people who are in the Gainesville area selling magazine subscriptions
door-to-door.
Several members of the group reportedly have criminal histories.
Deputies discovered the 50 or so door-to-door salespeople were working in the area after they were dispatched to the Days
Inn on Newberry Road about a disturbance.
Sheriff's spokesman Art Forgey said the disturbance involved a 17-year-old girl who told deputies she had been part of a
traveling magazine business and was fired Monday for under-performance.
The girl said she had nowhere to go and was not allowed to collect her belongings from the room where she had been
staying.
Deputies helped the girl retrieve her property, arranged for a safe place for her to stay overnight and contacted her legal guardian
to arrange for her to go back home, Forgey said.
Deputies also determined the girl was one of about 50 people staying at the hotel who worked for Midwest Circulations LLC of
Cameron, Mo.
The people have reportedly been getting dropped off in subdivisions to try to sell subscriptions.
"We ran background checks on several of the people there and we found some extensive criminal histories," Forgey said.
"Our patrol division has been advised to be on the lookout for places where these folks may be working and that they do have
criminal histories," he said.
By Karen Voyles
Staff writer
Gainesville Sun
Gainsville.com
http://www.gainesville.com
Gainsville, Florida Read This Story
San Francisco, California
Door-to-door salesmen, getting more and more aggressive
November 17, 2010 Door-to-door salesmen, getting more and more aggressive
Posted By: CLAYCORD.com (Email) | November 17
2010 at 11:30 AM
San Francisco Chronicle
Contra Costa Blog
Editor's note:
This is an SFGate.com In Contra Costa Blog.
These blog posts are not written or
edited by SFGate or the San Francisco Chronicle.
The authors are solely responsible for the content.
In the last few weeks, I've had about 10 door-to-door salesmen come to my
door trying to sell me everything from magazines, vacuums,Â
dvd's & cell phones.
Each time, they were going door-to-door illegally, because they didn't have a permit to sell their items.
The salesmen (and in some cases women) are so aggressive. They want to come in, and they try to give you a sob story about
how they are down on their luck, and need to sell one last item to get their
money, or one last vacuum to be able to go home for the night.
The most disturbing part of it all is that they really want to come inside my house, and they will tell you every story in the book to
try and get past the doorstep, which in my case, they never
do.
It's annoying, and it seems like it's happening more and more lately. I don't trust people who solicit illegally, especially when I
have a "no soliciting" sign in clear view of my doorbell.
I know we've talked about this before, but is anybody else seeing an increase in aggressive door-to-door soliciting, and if so,
have you called the police?
Posted By: CLAYCORD.com (Email)
San Francisco Chronicle
Contra Costa Blog
http://www.sfgate.com
San Francisco, California Read This Story
St. Mary's County, Maryland
Citizens be Cautious of Suspicious Door-to-Door Peddlers
November 16, 2010 Citizens be Cautious of Suspicious Door-to-Door Peddlers
BAYNET.COM
11/16/2010
The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office has recently
received inquiries and complaints concerning individuals selling magazines
door-to-door in the Mechanicsville, California and St. Clements areas of St. Mary’s County. These individuals claim
they are soliciting magazine subscriptions for Rocky Mountain USO to benefit
United States soldiers overseas. In another complaint received by the Sheriff’s Office, the individuals claim to be selling
advertisements for MD Networks based in Colorado. Neither company has
yet been verified as a legitimate business by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office. All of the peddlers are from
out-of-state and peddling door-to-door without a Peddler’s
License.
Individuals seeking to sell items or magazine subscriptions door-to-door must first obtain a Peddler’s License from the
St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office. Peddler’s Licenses
are only issued after the prospective seller has completed a Peddler’s License application, provided proper identification
and has passed a criminal background check. Once all of the
application requirements have been met a Peddler’s License will be issued by the Sheriff. The door-to-door
salespersons must have the Peddler’s License in possession when conducting
business in the community.
Sheriff Timothy Cameron would like to advise all citizens to be cautious when approached by a door-to-door salesperson.
Request to see identification and a Peddler’s License. If the individual
does not produce proper identification and a Peddler’s License, contact the police immediately.
BAYNET.COM
http://www.thebaynet.com
Lexington Park, Maryland Read This Story
Flint, Michigan
Carpet company manager cited for illegal solicitation DMPG Info:
Door-to-Door Sales Company:
Kirby Vaccum
Kirby Vaccum is a member of:
Direct Selling Association Direct Selling Association Web Site Read The DSA Code of Ethices
end DMPG Info November 16, 2010 Carpet company manager cited for illegal solicitation
Roberto Acosta | Flint Journal
Published: Tuesday, November 16, 2010, 12:56 PM Updated: Tuesday, November 16, 2010, 1:52
PM
A 41-year-old manager who sent a vacuum salesman door-to-door Nov. 3
in a Swartz Creek subdivision will have his pockets cleaned out. Officer Doug
Santiago responded to a call at 7:03 p.m. in the area of Durwood and Oakview drives of a man traveling to homes in the
subdivision offering a free carpeting cleaning, but he was also trying to sell
Kirby vacuum cleaners. The salesman’s manager was contacted, pleading ignorance of the city’s solicitation
ordinance that does not allow for door-to-door sales. He was cited for
soliciting the city, as well as equipment and registration violations on the vehicle he was driving. Officers in Gaines Township
called state police later that evening after the same vehicle was
spotted going door-to-door and suspected as part of some larcenies in the area.
Roberto Acosta | Flint Journal
http://www.mlive.com
Flint, Michigan Read This
Story
Tucson, Arizona
Family of slain man objects to plea deal; killer gets 15 years
November 10, 2010
Family of slain man objects to plea deal; killer gets 15 years
Kim Smith Arizona Daily Star Arizona Daily Star | Posted: Wednesday, November 10, 2010 12:00 am
The family of a 40-year-old man who was beaten to death last December castigated their loved one's killer and the Pima County
Attorney's Office on Tuesday.
Harold Marquart was sentenced Tuesday to 15 years in prison in the death of Daniel Willis.
Willis' son and former girlfriend told Pima County Superior Court Judge Richard Fields they couldn't believe Marquart, 57, was
allowed to plead guilty to manslaughter.
If Willis were the mayor or a chief executive officer, Marquart would not have been offered a deal, and other cases wouldn't
have taken precedence, Selena Sandoval told Fields.
Willis was found dead in the front yard of a home in the 2300 block of East Eastland Street, near East 22nd Street and South
Tucson Boulevard.
Police reported Willis was homeless when he was killed by Marquart and Robert J. Hines.
The men entered identical plea agreements, agreeing to serve somewhere between seven and 18 years in prison.
Sandoval told Fields that no one was consulted about the plea, and they would have opposed it.
Sandoval, who denied Willis was homeless, said 18 years wouldn't be enough time for Marquart, who got out of prison five days
before he killed Willis.
Defense attorney Verne Hill told Fields that Willis was extremely drunk and died after attacking Marquart with a knife, Hill said.
Hill told the judge his client fought back, but it was Hines who crushed Willis' windpipe, causing his death.
Marquart apologized to Willis' family, bemoaning the fact he drank that day knowing his alcoholism had landed him in prison
before. Hines, 24, will be sentenced Dec. 6.
Kim Smith Arizona Daily Star
Arizona Daily Star
http://azstarnet.com
Tucson, Arizona Read This
Story
Tucson, Arizona
15-year prison term given in fatal beating of Tucson man
November 9, 2010
15-year prison term given in fatal beating of Tucson man
By Kim Smith Arizona Daily Star Arizona Daily Star | Posted: Tuesday, November 9, 2010 4:40 pm
The family of a 40-year-old man who was beaten to death last December castigated their loved one’s murderer, the Pima
County Attorney’s Office and the media Tuesday during the killer’s sentencing hearing.
Harold Marquart was sentenced to 15 years in prison in the death of Daniel Willis.
Willis’ son and former girlfriend told Pima County Superior Court Judge Richard Fields they couldn’t believe Marquart, 57, was
allowed to plead guilty to manslaughter and was facing a maximum sentence of only 18 years.
If Willis were the president, the mayor or the chief executive officer of a large company, Marquart would never have been
offered a plea agreement and other cases wouldn’t have taken precedence, Selena Sandoval told Fields.
Willis’ death also would’ve warranted more than a paragraph in the newspaper, too, Sandoval said.
Willis was found dead in the front yard of a home in the 2300 block of East Eastland Street, near East 22nd Street and South
Tucson Boulevard.
The Tucson Police Department reported at the time that Willis was homeless and had been beaten to death by Marquart and
Robert J. Hines.
The men entered identical plea agreements, agreeing to serve somewhere between seven and 18 years in prison.
During Hines’ change-of-plea hearing, defense attorney Jill Thorpe told Fields Willis and Marquart had been drinking heavily
when a "play fight" between Willis and Marquart turned serious.
Hines joined Marquart in stomping Willis on the face and head before getting scared and fleeing, Thorpe said at the time.
When Hines left, Willis was still alive, Thorpe said.
In a letter to the Arizona Daily Star, Hines said Marquart coerced him into beating Willis.
Sandoval told Fields no one in Willis’ family was consulted by prosecutors about the plea agreement and had they been, they
would have opposed it.
Given the brutality of the attack on Willis and his martial arts training, there is no way he was involved in a “play fight,” Sandoval
said.
She said Marquart was getting away with murder and to make things worse he has shown no remorse, Sandoval said.
Marquart’s letter to Fields is just filled with excuses, Sandoval said.
Willis was not homeless when he died, he was helping the mother of a family friend build a wheelchair ramp, Sandoval said.
Regardless, “there should be no need for witnesses to bolster the worth” of Willis’ life, Sandoval said.
Willis was murdered and 18 years isn’t enough time for Marquart, who got out of prison just five days before he killed Willis,
Sandoval said.
Defense attorney Verne Hill told Fields Willis wasn’t a “blameless sheep.”
His blood alcohol content when he died was 0.30 and he died after attacking Marquart with a knife, Hill said.
The defense attorney said Marquart and Willis met at a convenience store and Willis invited him back to the house on East
Eastland for some beer.
When Marquart told Willis he’d just gotten out of prison after serving some time in the Winchester Unit, Willis attacked
Marquart because he recognized that unit is for sex offenders, having served time in prison himself, Hill said.
“This wasn’t play fighting, it was an all-out attack,” Hill said.
Hill told the judge his client disarmed Willis, took him to the ground and kicked him, but it was Hines who crushed Willis’
windpipe, causing his death.
Marquart was so drunk himself he passed out two doors down from the incident, Hill said.
A tearful and visibly shaking Marquart apologized to Willis’ family, bemoaning the fact he took that first drink of alcohol that day
knowing he has struggled with alcohol and drug addiction his entire life and it has landed him in prison multiple times before.
He told them that he and Willis apparently lived “parallel lives” in that they both struggled with alcoholism and they could just
have easily been “comrades” rather than “combatants” while living on the streets. Marquart said he hopes Willis is sleeping
peacefully in the “arms of the Creator” and called Hines a liar for his version of events.
The defendant pleaded for mercy from Fields, although he said he knew he didn’t deserve it. He said he is a sick man who
wants to die at home, not in prison.
Fields told the five-time felon, “Mr. Marquart, your home is prison.”
Hines, 24, is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 6.
Contact reporter Kim Smith at 573-4241 or kimsmith@azstarnet.com
Kim Smith Arizona Daily Star
Arizona Daily Star
http://azstarnet.com
Tucson, Arizona Read This
Story
Connecticut
State: Kirby's vacuum sales practices 'unethical' DMPG Info: Door-to-Door
Sales Company:
Kirby Vaccum
Kirby Vaccum is a member of:
Direct Selling Association Direct Selling Association Web Site Read The DSA Code of Ethices
end DMPG Info November 9, 2010 State: Kirby's vacuum sales practices 'unethical'
BY DAVID KRECHEVSKY REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN
Tuesday, November 9, 2010 3:22 AM EST
The state may go to court to get the sellers of Kirby vacuums to clean up its
act.
Jerry Farrell, commissioner of the state Department of Consumer Protection, asked the state attorney general's office Monday to
pursue legal action against The Kirby Co., which uses independent
distributors to sell its vacuums door-to-door nationwide. The legal action also would target Kirby's parent company, The Scott
Fetzer Co., as well as United Consumer Financial Services and seven
state-based independent distributors, including two in the region.
In a news release Monday, Farrell said his department is "seeking a legal remedy and resolution that gives consumers adequate
protection from the unfair sales practices of The Kirby Co. and its
affiliates, as alleged in consumer complaints in the past two years."
The tactics cited by consumers, he said, include in-home sales calls in which sales representatives refuse to leave; phone calls
that violate the state's Telemarketing Act; selling used vacuums as
new, and "preying" on the elderly.
"We also have numerous claims of consumers' carpets that have been damaged during a sales call," Farrell said.
The Kirby Co., based in Cleveland, is a subsidiary of The Scott Fetzer Co., which itself is part of Berkshire Hathaway. United
Consumer Financial Services, of Westlake, Ohio, is a national sales
financing company specializing in retail installment sales contracts. It handles such contracts for The Scott Fetzer Co.
In a statement e-mailed by spokeswoman Halle A. Haniewich, The Kirby Co. denied the state's allegations, saying the company
"requires its distributors to operate their businesses in a manner that
meets all applicable legal and ethical standards."
The statement also said the company has attempted "throughout the year" to address concerns raised by the state, and "fully
supports the DCP's desire to maintain the highest level of business
practices" by companies doing business in Connecticut.
The statement added that Kirby officials proposed a plan to hold its distributors to a standard "higher than that required by
Connecticut law," and was "disappointed to learn today that, despite this
cooperation, the DCP referred its investigation" to the attorney general's office.
"The company is prepared to discuss this matter with the Office of the Attorney General," the statement concluded.
In addition to its concerns about sales tactics, the state accuses United Consumer of failing to ensure that Kirby dealers and
representatives complied with laws for sales contracts by not telling
customers they have the right to cancel them within three days.
Also targeted in the enforcement action are seven state distributors of Kirby products, including JMG Distribution Inc., at 2100
Thomaston Ave. in Waterbury, and RFR Enterprises, which according to
the secretary of the state's office has a business address in Milford. The owner of the company is listed as Ronald F. Rossi, with
a home address in Naugatuck. Other state-based distributors targeted
included two in Rocky Hill and one each in Norwich, Orange, and Southington.
The Kirby Co. said Monday that RFR is no longer a Kirby distributor. Rossi could not be reached for comment.
Claudette Carveth, spokeswoman for the consumer protection department, said RFR is targeted because of its previous work
with Kirby.
"RFR was in business over the last five years, as of the time of the complaints and the DCP investigation," she said in an e-mail.
"Apparently it was only at some point in 2010 that RFR was let go by
Kirby as an independent distributor. Even though the business is gone, it can still be named in the complaint for alleged misdeeds
at the time of our investigation, which also factors in with issues
raised about the parent company, Kirby."
Carveth added that, because the investigation continues, the identities of consumers who filed complaints with the state will
remain confidential.
Blumenthal issued a terse statement late Monday saying his office is reviewing the allegations "to determine what legal action is
warranted."
Chris Jackson, an official with JMG, said he was not aware of the state's claims and declined to comment, referring questions to
Kirby officials.
Last year, Kirby was the subject of an investigation by "Inside Edition," a nationally syndicated television program. The story,
which aired March 9, 2009, in part featured a Connecticut couple,
Brett and Rose Tomlin of Stafford Springs, who said their 89-year-old aunt was taken advantage of by an RFR Enterprises
salesman. The elderly woman, who suffers from Alzheimer's, paid $1,700 for a
25-pound Kirby vacuum, they said.
Representatives of The Scott Fetzer Co. and United Consumer Financial Services did not return calls seeking
comment.
BY DAVID KRECHEVSKY REPUBLICAN-
AMERICAN
http://www.rep-am.com
Waterbury, Connecticut Read This Story
Arcata, California
Door-To-Door Magazine Salescrook Offers Speedy Pot Payment Plan –
November 9, 2010 Door-To-Door Magazine Salescrook Offers Speedy Pot Payment
Plan –
The Arcata Eye
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
3:48 p.m. The world’s sketchiest door-to-door magazine
salesman descended on Heather Lane. He talked his way into one woman’s
house, and as she sat there fearing for her safety, he said that he sells magazines for payment in marijuana and methamphetamine,
showing her samples of the contraband-currency. He then left, saying
he would be “making rounds” in adjacent neighborhoods.
5:06 p.m. The dopey, shaven-headed magazine salesman was located on North Street. He was told he needed a
business license.
The Arcata Eye
http://www.arcataeye.com
Arcata, California Read This Story
BBB:
Business Name: NXcess Sales, LLC
NXCESS SALES, LLC
BBB Rating: F
Business Address: 24820 N 16th Avenue #110
Phoenix , AZ 85085
Original Business Start Date: 12/9/2009
Local Business Start Date: 12/9/2009
Type of Entity: Limited Liability Company (LLC)
Incorporated: 2009 in AZ
Principal: Mark Speigner, Member
BBB Accreditation: This business is not a BBB Accredited Business
Type of Business: MAGAZINES SOLD DOOR-TO-DOOR
Website Address:
http://www.nxcesssales.com
end DMPG Info November 9, 2010 Charity, fundraising scams crop up in Newark
Written by SETH ROY
Newark Advocate.com
5:50 PM, Nov 9, 2010
NEWARK — Two scams involving people selling magazines for
nonprofit organizations have been reported in Newark during the past week.
A group of girls posing as members of the Newark High School soccer team have “sold” magazine
subscriptions to at least two people, Athletic Secretary Pam Evans said.
“I’ve had two phone calls where they were just wondering if it was a legit fundraiser,” she said.
“The girls soccer team is not doing a fundraiser right now.”
On Saturday, an 87-year-old Newark woman reported to Newark police that somebody claiming he or she was from
Children’s Hospital in Columbus contacted her about selling magazines and books for
charity. After learning of the scam, she canceled the checks she had written, Newark police Sgt. Scott Snow said.
“We get several of these a year,” he said. “It’s not limited to the elderly.”
Snow said people should try to make sure a person asking for money for a charity is telling the truth.
“The first thing is, don’t let anybody in your home unless you’re absolutely sure who they are,”
he said. “If you’re uncomfortable with something, follow your
instincts.”
If someone needs help verifying that a charity is legitimate, Snow said to not hesitate calling the police.
“If you’re in doubt about somebody, verify,” he said, “and if it just doesn’t come
together, we can respond, and we can help with the verification.”
Seth Roy can be reached at (740) 328-8547 or sroy@newarkadvocate.com.
Written by SETH ROY
Newark Advocate.com
http://www.newarkadvocate.com
Newark, Ohio Read This Story
Columbus, Indiana
School officials warn of trip scam DMPG Info: Door-to-Door Magazine Sales
Company:
NXcess Sales, LLC
Research:
Destiny Sales
Prestige Sales LLC
Integrity Program
Integrity Sales
Magazine Fulfillment Services
BBB:
Business Name: NXcess Sales, LLC
NXCESS SALES, LLC
BBB Rating: F
Business Address: 24820 N 16th Avenue #110
Phoenix , AZ 85085
Original Business Start Date: 12/9/2009
Local Business Start Date: 12/9/2009
Type of Entity: Limited Liability Company (LLC)
Incorporated: 2009 in AZ
Principal: Mark Speigner, Member
BBB Accreditation: This business is not a BBB Accredited Business
Type of Business: MAGAZINES SOLD DOOR-TO-DOOR
Website Address:
http://www.nxcesssales.com
end DMPG Info November 9, 2010 School officials warn of trip scam
Staff Reports editorial@therepublic.com
THE REPUBLIC
First Posted: November 09, 2010 - 4:20 pm
Last Updated: November 09, 2010 - 4:20 pm
COLUMBUS, Ind. — Columbus North High School officials are
urging people to be wary of a scam that’s surfaced in Columbus. A group is
going door-to-door allegedly selling items to benefit a North journalism student trip to London. North student media adviser Kim
Green said it’s a scam. “There’s no trip to
London,” she said. “And we never go door-to-door.” The group is asking residents to make checks
out to “N.X.CESS,” Green said. Residents who encounter the scam are
encouraged to contact Columbus Police Department at 376-2600
Staff Reports editorial@therepublic.com
THE REPUBLIC
http://www.therepublic.com
Columbus, Indiana Read This
Story
New York
Door-To-Door Sales Scam
November 9, 2010 Door-To-Door Sales Scam
Published November 09, 2010 by:
Michele Starkey
Associated Content
Who is Behind the Scenes Getting Rich?
It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon in the Hudson Valley of New York and we had just finished having dinner with our daughter
in preparation for her commute back to Vermont and Green Mountain
College. My husband and I were standing on the deck in front of the house waving goodbye as she pulled out of the
driveway.
Our sights turned to a young woman walking up the driveway, her long blonde hair tucked under a cap and her thin sweater
wrapped tightly around her slight frame. It was freezing cold but she was
without a coat yet still smiling and acting like an innocent kid, seeking attention as she spoke, "Hey guys, it sure is chilly here in
New York today. Was that your daughter that you were waving to -
I am someone's daughter and I am looking for friendly folks who don't bite my head off while I speak to them about the
opportunity to lend me a helping hand."
What followed was a serious conversation with this young lady as we tried to convince her that there was a serious scam going
on. Did she know? After several moments of discussion - I wasn't so sure.
I asked her if she was getting paid for her services and she admitted that they give her "room and board." Imagine that, hours of
pounding the pavement for room and board.
She ran from the porch and down the street. My husband and I got into the car and tried to follow her but she seemed to have
vanished. We did find another young man wandering the neighborhood,
soliciting unsuspecting compassionate souls while he told his "sad story" of needing money to go to college, being a long way
from his Portland, Oregon home and trying to win a trip to Amsterdam.
This kid was a real loser.
Anyway, we ended up at the neighbor's home who revealed that he had just been ripped off by the young man. What ensued
was a series of 911 phone calls, the police came and the young man and his crew
chief were apprehended.
This is the video from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) - please take a moment to watch it here.
Twelve thousand complaints have flooded the BBB regarding door-to-door sales of magazine subscriptions.
Call the BBB or go online to www.bbb.org and check out the company before purchasing anything from anyone selling door-
to-door. And, if you do get scammed, call the local authorities.
Published by Michele Starkey
Optimist who enjoys writing, laughing and spreading good news. If I have but one life to live, I hope to make mine memorable.
My epitaph will read: she lived, she loved, she left. View profile
Michele Starkey
Associated Content
http://www.associatedcontent.com Read This
Story
Hartford, Connecticut
Consumer protection targets sellers, distributors of Kirby vacuums in state DMPG
Info: Door-to-Door Sales Company:
Kirby Vaccum
Kirby Vaccum is a member of:
Direct Selling Association Direct Selling Association Web Site Read The DSA Code of Ethices
end DMPG Info November 8, 2010 Consumer protection targets sellers, distributors of Kirby vacuums in state
The Middletown Press
Published: Monday, November 08, 2010
HARTFORD – The Department of Consumer Protection is seeking
legal action against ten sellers and distributors of Kirby vacuum cleaners in the
state.
The DPC is referring to the Office of the Attorney General for enforcement a case against The Kirby Co, The Scott Fetzer
Company, United Consumer Financial Services, and all Connecticut distributors
of Kirby products, Consumer Protection Commissioner Jerry Farrell announced Monday.
“We allege that the Kirby and Scott Fetzer Companies, along with their distributors in Connecticut, have engaged in
aggressive, high pressure and even unethical sales tactics, including in-home
sales calls where sales representatives refuse to leave consumers’ homes, phone calls to consumers in violation of the
state’s Telemarketing Act, selling used vacuum cleaners as new,
targeting and preying on older residents,” Farrell said. “We also have numerous claims of consumers’
carpets that have been damaged during a sales call. We believe it’s time
for a clean sweep of their business policies and practices.”
United Consumer Financial Services, a national sales finance company specializing in consumer retail installment sales contracts
owned by the Scott Fetzer Company, allegedly failed to ensure that
Kirby dealers and representatives complied with laws pertaining to home solicitation sales contracts, including giving customers
notice of the three-day right to cancel their purchase contract, and
returning the consumer’s copy of the original contract upon cancellation.
Farrell is asking the Attorney General’s Office to file a civil action against The Kirby Company, the Scott Fetzer
Company, United Consumer Financial Services, and the following Connecticut
distributors of Kirby products in order to protect consumers from the unfair, threatening and abusive business tactics alleged by
consumers in their complaints: JMG Distribution in Waterbury area;
RFR Enterprises in Naugatuck area; GP Industries of Norwich in Taftville area; SZ Enterprises in Orange area; K&M
Distribution in Rocky Hill area; Golden Circle Distribution in Southington area
and South Shore Distributing in Rocky Hill area.
The Middletown Press
http://www.middletownpress.com
Middletown, Connecticut Read This
Story
Running Springs, California
Salesman Arrested For Not Registering As Sex Offender DMPG Info:
Door-to-Door Magazine Sales Company:
Love Technologies, Inc.
aka: Love Tech 213 BBB: Love Technologies, Inc.
BBB Rating: F
Business Contact and Profile
Name: Love Technologies, Inc
Phone: (888) 888-9025
Address: Po Box 18352
Golden, CO 80401
Principal: Chris Love, Owner
Customer Contact: Ms. Dona Funches, Senior Customer Service - dona@americancashawards.com
Email Address: dona@americancashawards.com
File Open Date: January 2008
Type of Business: Magazine Sales by Mail
BBB Accreditation: This company is not a BBB Accredited business.
DMPG Research Note:
As of 11/12/10 a search on the Colorado Secretary of State Web Site: http://www.sos.state.co.us yields no results for the
following company names:
Monitoring Services Network
Ameciacn Cash Awards
DMPG Staff called the Colorado Secretary of State on 11/12/10. There is no record in their database for either of the above
company names?
As of 11/12/10 a search on the Colorado Secretary of State Web Site: http://www.sos.state.co.us yields two hits for Great Lake
Circulation
1) ID Number: 20051069405 Name: Great Lakes Circulation, Inc., Delinquent August 1, 2009
Name Change: Co. S.O.S.: Great Lakes Circulation
2) ID Number: 20051069405 Name: Great Lakes Circulation, Inc., Delinquent August 1, 2009 Co. S.O.S.: Great Lakes Circulation
Offender:
Matthew Douglas Haynes
2 felony counts: failing to register as a sex offender
San Bernardino County Sheriff Case # 051003395
BBB: BBB: American Cash Awards
BBB: Monitoring Services Network
Original Business Start Date: 01/20/2010
BBB Rating: F
Name: Monitoring Services Network
Phone: (888) 888-9025
Address: PO Box 1030
Kittredge, CO 80457
Website: www.americanawards.com
travelworkplay.com
Original Business Start Date: January 2010
Principal: Dona Funches
Customer Contact: Dona Funches - (888) 888-9025
Type of Business: Magazine Sales
BBB Accreditation: This company is not a BBB Accredited business.
Additional DBA Names: ACA Clearinghouse
American Cash Awards, Inc.
Products and Services
Monitoring Services Network is a processing clearing house and customer service center for many door to door retail
organizations. The companies contracting with Monitoring Services Network are
traveling sales organizations, and are not owned by Monitoring Services Network. If you have a complaint against one of these
traveling sales companies please file the complaint on the traveling
sales company directly and not against Monitoring Services Network.
Below is a list of companies that Monitoring Services Network handles processing for:
D2D Consulting
Frontline Communications
HP Consulting
MD Networks
Preferred Consulting Services
Prime Time Consulting
Monitoring Services Network no longer handles processing for:
Carpathian Sales, Coast to Coast Subscriptions, Colossal Marketing, Crown Sales, Dow Marketing, DowdCo, Dynasty
Technologies, Inc, Editorials International, Face Off, Inc, Face to Face Technologies
Inc, Family Subscriptions, Fit for Life Network, Inc, Future Business Executives, Inc., Gemini Subscriptions, Inc, Global
Marketing, Gold Coast Circulation Inc, Lions Pride Marketing, Love
Technologies, Inc, Miami Dream Team, Monarch Marketing, New Image Sales Inc, No Limit Sales, Northwood Marketing
Company, Obsession Sales, OK Marketing, Partners In Success, Peak Sales, Performance
Clearing Services, Power and Pride Marketing, Power Star Sales, Preferred Consulting Company, Rainbow Sales Inc, Reviste
LLC, Royal Subscriptions, SB Magazine, Second to None Inc, SYN, Inc, TBA
Developments Inc, Tenacious Sales, Titan Sales, TNT Promotions, Inc, Triton Sales, Tyrannize Sales, Urban Development
Solutions, Inc., Urban Success Inc, Unique Subscription Agency Inc, Yoli &
Associates Inc.
end DMPG Info November 8, 2010 Salesman Arrested For Not Registering As Sex Offender
Matthew Haynes Also Allegedly Provided False Identification
By G.T. Houts
RIMOFTHEWORLD.NET
part of Vicinitas.com
Monday, November 8, 2010
Running Springs, CA - A door-to-door magazine salesman working in the
Running Springs area has been arrested on a charge of failing to register as a
sex offender and for allegedly providing false identification to a peace officer.
Matthew Douglas Haynes, 19, who is wanted on a warrant from Oregon for also failing to register as a sex offender, was taken
into custody on Saturday, November 6, at 3:07 p.m.
Deputy N. Newsom from the Twin Peaks Sheriff's Station responded to the area of All View Drive and Valley Oak Drive in
response to a call about the door-to-door solicitations.
Deputy Newsom made contact with Haynes who reportedly lied about his name. Through investigation, the officer learned
Haynes' true identity and determined he was a sex offender from Oregon.
He also determined Haynes had been in California for several weeks prior to the arrest.
CALIFORNIA LAW
All sex offenders must register in California within five working days of moving into the jurisdiction they will be living.
Haynes had not registered with any law enforcement agency upon his arrival in California.
BOOKING INFORMATION
Haynes was booked at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga at 5:29 p.m. and held on $25,000 bail for
failure to register and $5,000 for providing false information to a police
officer.
CITIZEN REMINDER
The Twin Peaks Sheriff's Station reminds all residents to be cautious when answering their doors and to call Sheriff's Dispatch
for any suspicious activity or persons.
This article was first published on Monday, November 8, 2010 at 11:05 am.
By G.T. Houts
RIMOFTHEWORLD.NET
part of Vicinitas.com
http://rimoftheworld.net
Running Springs, California Read This Story
Tyler, Texas
Door-To-Door Cleaner Sales People Draw Complaints; Authorities Issue Warning
November 5, 2010 Door-To-Door Cleaner Sales People Draw Complaints; Authorities
Issue Warning
By KENNETH DEAN
Staff Writer
Tyler Morning Telegraph
Posted on
Friday, November 05, 2010
It's called Advanage Wonder Cleaner and a team of sales people are
combing the neighborhoods of Smith County hawking their product.
But authorities are warning residents to be aware the cleaner doesn't work as it is demonstrated and some people have had their
identities stolen by the sales people.
One local law enforcement officer's parents even had a salesperson spit on their vehicle when they told the man they were not
interested in the product or his sales pitch.
Smith County Sheriff's Lt. Tony Dana said his department has received numerous complaints from residents about the company
and a quick look on the Internet shows the company has a spotty history.
Dana said a Tyler officer told him of the spitting incident that occurred in Tyler.
According to one website, a salesman even drank the cleaner he was trying to sell even though the intended customer clearly
could see the bottle warned to call 911 if ingested.
"We have found all kinds of stuff on this group, the cleaner and two of the guys we checked yesterday have felony records. We
have also learned the group has cleaned out people's bank accounts or
charged things on credit cards when people paid with check or credit card," Dana said.
He added the calls his department is receiving include complaints the sales people try pushing their way into the homes and
peering in windows of homes when no one answers the door.
"We can't stop them from selling a product, but we have been told the product does not work as it is demonstrated and people
have been scammed. We just want the public to have all of the
information," he said.
Dana warned residents to not allow the salespeople in their homes. "We are still running the backgrounds of the two yesterday,
but they had felony records, and we don't want anything bad happening,"
he said.
By KENNETH DEAN
Staff Writer
Tyler Morning Telegraph
http://tpstage.sx.atl.publicus.com
Tyler, Texas Read This
Story
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Magazine scammers target Rio Rancho neighborhood DMPG Info: Door-to-Door
Magazine Sales Company:
Majestic Sales LLC
aka: Coast to Coast Sales
aka: Ultimate Power Sales, Inc.
aka: Ultimate Empire Sales, Inc.
aka: Xtreme Marketing Inc.
aka: Tuscan Readers Services, Inc.
aka: Platinum Sales, Inc.
aka: United Family Publication
aka: Heritage Marketing
Magazine Sales Clearinghouse:
Marquis Fulfillment Agency LLC
aka: United Family Circulation
BBB Rating: F BBB
Report: United Family Circulation http://edumacation.com/UnitedFamilyCirculation Google Search: United Family
Circulation Google
Search This Site For: United Family Circulation
end DMPG Info November 5, 2010 Magazine scammers target Rio Rancho neighborhood
Posted at: 11/05/2010 11:03 PM
By: Jeff Maher, Eyewitness News 4
KOB Eyewitness News 4
It's a scam that even police never heard about, until KOB Eyewitness News
4 told them about it Friday.
A group of young men, posing as local high school soccer players; selling magazines to benefit sick kids and soldiers serving
overseas.
It's happening in Rio Rancho, and now the police are on the lookout.
Marquis Fulfillment Agency LLC. It may sound reputable, but it's not. That's the name of the company these salesmen work for.
But if you Google it, all you'll find is complaints from people who have
been ripped off.
When Betsy Ross opened her door Thursday night around 7pm, she was greeted by a couple of young, good-looking guys with
big smiles on their faces, but with a plea of desperation.
They told Besty they were local high school soccer players, selling magazine subscriptions to help fund their soccer tournament
trip to Chicago, which would be broadcast on ESPN.
They even gave her their jersey numbers.
They told Betsy they only had to sell a couple more subscriptions.
"The coach had made them run eight miles that day because they didn't get their ten subscriptions, and could I help them out,"
Ross recalled.
Ross then invited them inside, impressed with their looks and wit.
"They were charming, they were personable, I started laughing." she said.
The magazines she bought would be sent to soldiers overseas, and to sick kids being treated at St. Jude's Hospital. She wrote
them a check for $53 to buy one subscription, and they left.
When her husband Wally came home, he did some quick research, and found all the complaints about the company.
The Better Business Bureau confirmed with us, it's a scam out of Buford, Georgia.
We called the number listed for the company—it went to voicemail.
Police say if someone comes to your door soliciting information, ask to see their solicitors permit, which is issued by the
city.
The permit will show their photo, information, and dates and times they are allowed to solicit.
Betsy cancelled her check and put flyers out all throughout her neighborhood warning others about the scam.
If you come across the phoneys, call police immediately.
By: Jeff Maher, Eyewitness News 4
KOB Eyewitness News 4
http://www.kob.com
Albuquerque, New Mexico Read This Story
Tyler, Texas
Be on the watch for suspicious door to door salesmen
November 4, 2010 Be on the watch for suspicious door to door salesmen
KLTV
Posted: Nov 04, 2010 10:52 AM CDT
Updated: Nov 04, 2010 10:52 AM CDT
Released by Smith County Sheriff's Office
TYLER, TX - A group of individuals have been working the Southern Portions of Smith County this week selling ADVANTAGE
Wonder Cleaner.
Residents reported some of the salesmen being very aggressive and eager to get into homes. One resident watched a salesman
walk into his neighbor's back yard after he did not get an answer at the
front door. The subject was observed looking into the back windows of the home.
Individuals selling this product have received bad reviews from other parts of the Country. It has been reported the product used
for demonstration works very well but the product that is sold to
consumers does not work as well or does not work at all.
Some individuals selling this product have been linked to IDENTITY THEFT and some have felony convictions from other
states.
The Smith County Sheriff's office is warning residents not to let unknown persons into their homes. If residents choose to
purchase the product; pay in cash and DO NOT release credit card, debit
card, or checking account information. Once an individual has your checking account, debit card, or credit card numbers; your
accounts could be wiped out in a matter of hours.
Residents are urged to use caution when dealing with door to door salesmen of any product and report any suspicious activity to
Law Enforcement.
Tyler, Texas
From the Smith County Sheriff's Department:
November 4, 2010 From the Smith County Sheriff's Department:
By Lacy Beavers - KETK News
KETK NBC 56
Thursday, November 4, 2010 - 10:59am
TYLER - According to the Smith County Sheriff's Department, a group of
people has been working the southern portions of Smith County this week,
selling ADVANTAGE Wonder Cleaner. People have reported some of the salesmen are very aggressive and eager to get into
their homes.
One person watched a salesman walk into his neighbor's backyard after he didn't get an answer at the front door. The man was
seen looking into the back windows of the home.
Sheriff's deputies say people selling this product have gotten bad reviews from other parts of the country. It has been reported
that the product used in demonstration works very well, but the
product that is sold to them doesn't work well-- or sometimes at all. Some people selling the product have been linked to
identity theft, and some have felony convictions from other states.
The Smith County Sheriff's Department warns residents not to let anyone they don't know inside their homes. If residents do
choose to buy the product, pay in cash and do not release credit card,
debit card or checking account information. Once someone has your personal information, your accounts could be wiped out in
a matter of hours.
If you do encounter any suspicious door-to-door sales activity, report it to law enforcement.
By Lacy Beavers - KETK News
KETK NBC 56
http://www.ketknbc.com
Tyler, Texas Read This
Story
Tyler, Texas
Police warn door to door salesmen in East Texas could be scam
November 4, 2010 Police warn door to door salesmen in East Texas could be
scam
By Cody Spain - Reporter/KETK News
Thursday, November 4, 2010 - 10:35pm
TYLER - Officials tell KETK there are several salesman right now in East
Texas who claim to work for, Advantage Wonder Cleaner but, the company is
widely considered a scam. A quick online search of the group bring up pages of unsatisfied customers, some of which claim their
identities were stolen and their bank accounts wiped out. Authorities
say they have had one report of a salesman who was peeking through the back window of an East Texas home and police are
urging caution.
By Cody Spain - Reporter/KETK News
KETK NBC 56
http://www.ketknbc.com
Tyler, Texas Read This
Story
Pokorny v. 'Quixtar' ('Amway'), = Reason v. Insanity
DMPG
Info: Door-to-Door Sales Company:
'Quixtar' ('Amway')
Amway is a member of the Direct Sales Association
end DMPG Info November 3, 2010 Pokorny v. 'Quixtar' ('Amway'), = Reason v. Insanity
David Brear (Copyright 2010)
Posted with Corporate Frauds Watch
http://corporatefraudswatch.blogspot.com
Pokorny v. 'Quixtar'
('Amway'), = Reason v. Insanity
In 2007, a class action civil Lawsuit was filed against 'Amway' in
California, under the federal
Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations Act. Three directors and advisors of Pyramid Scheme Alert (including Robert
Fitzpatrick) served as experts and consultants to the victims in this case. At
first, 'Amway's' attorneys delayed proceedings (and incurred huge additional costs for the plaintiffs) by steadfastly pretending
that the plaintiffs had no right to sue, because as the signatories of
'Amway' contracts, they had voluntarily accepted a 'binding (internal) arbitration agreement.' However, a Federal
court ruled that the arbitration process was unenforceable and unfair. The judge said of 'Amway's' own parallel
system of dispute resolution , 'the requirement …is substantively
unconscionable, and exceedingly so,' and graphically described the contracts as a 'stacked deck' in 'Amway's' favour.
The suit (which was filed by the firm of Boies, Schiller & Flexner) was finally allowed to proceed. It charged that 'Amway'
deliberately misled consumers with false income claims, sold them
overpriced products and marketing materials, and secretly transferred the lost investments of virtually all new recruits to a tiny
few at the top, year after year. The suit accused 'Amway' of
operating an illegal pyramid scheme and it argued that 'Amway's' main revenue source is ultimately its own so-called 'sales force,'
since the company has little retail sales and few retail customers.
Thus, 'Amway's' real product is a fake 'business opportunity' generating huge illegal profits through the recruitment of ill-informed
consumers to invest in a reality-inverting swindle promoted as a
viable 'business opportunity.' The suit clearly explained that the overwhelming majority of 'Amway' recruits do not not make sales
to the general public in an open market. Therefore, 'Amway' operates
as a closed-market, dooming, by its 'endless chain' design, virtually all who join at the bottom, year after year.
This week it has been announced that 'Amway's' attorneys have halted the suit by agreeing to pay victims and cover litigation
costs amounting to over $55 million in cash and goods. A judicially
administered fund will pay refunds to two classes of victims, those who joined 'Amway' and quit within a year (usually paying
only initial fees) and another group of those who stayed in longer (and
lost much more). Another $50 million will be paid in other costs incurred by 'Amway' to meet the terms of the settlement. Under
terms of the settlement, 'Amway' will also stop advertizing misleading
income claims. In total, halting the suit will cost the billionaire bosses of the 'Amway' mob just $155 millions http://www.bsfllp.com/news/in_the_news/000144
In the usual terms of class action settlements, the billionaire bosses of the 'Amway' mob have admitted no guilt. Laughably,
however, they have volunteered to pay back a fraction of what they have
stolen, lower the fixed-prices of their effectively-unsaleable wampum and increase the 'refund period' on it, pay all the victims's
court costs and give them free wampum. 'Significant changes' are
also to be made in the so-called 'tools business.'
To date, US federal law enforcement agents are nowhere to be seen, the reality-inverting 'Amway' propaganda machine is
already in full swing and it's business as usual for the self-appointed rulers
of the American kleptocracy, but what conclusions are the US authorities going to draw from Pokorny v. 'Quixtar' ('Amway')?
Indeed, in the light of this (and other) evidence, what possible justification could any democratic government put forward for
allowing this gang of US-based racketeers, and their many copy-cats, to
continue to steal from the public ?
Hillsdale, New Jersey
Fugitive wanted in Virginia arrested
November 2, 2010 Fugitive wanted in Virginia arrested
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Last updated: Tuesday November 2, 2010, 10:01 AM
BY KIMBERLY REDMOND
Pascack Valley Community Life
Of Community Life
A man attempting to peddle cleaning products in a Hillsdale neighborhood was arrested on Saturday, Oct. 30 after police
discovered he had a felony fugitive warrant issued out of Virginia. At 1:55
p.m., a concerned resident contacted police headquarters to report that she had observed two men going door-to-door, selling
cleaning products, said Police Officer Jeff Angermeyer, the department's
spokesman. According to Angermeyer, the resident, who thought the men seemed suspicious, believed they were soliciting
without a permit. Police Officer Chris Donaldson arrived on the scene and found
the men roaming the neighborhood on foot, Angermeyer said. The officer approached the men and properly identified them.
Donaldson ran a computer check of the men, which uncovered a match in a
national fugitive database for one of the men, Jamel Arrington, a 34-year-old currently residing in Newark. Donaldson, along
with assistance from Det./Sgt. Bob Francaviglia, took Arrington into
custody and transported him to Hillsdale Police Department, Angermeyer said. Further investigation revealed that the Henrico
County Police Department in Virginia had been pursuing the former Richmond
resident since March, following his release from prison for a third conviction of carrying a concealed weapon, the officer said.
Arrington's name was entered into a national database by authorities
when he exceeded the limitations of his release and was presumed to have left the area. Arrington was transferred from the
custody of Hillsdale Police to the Bergen County Jail, where he will remain
until authorities from Virginia can arrange for his transportation back to Henrico County. The other man working with Arrington
was issued a warning for soliciting without a permit and released,
Angermeyer said.
E-mail: redmondk@northjersey.com
BY KIMBERLY REDMOND
Pascack Valley Community Life
Of Community Life
http://www.northjersey.com
New Jersey Read This
Story
Sherman Oaks, California
Sherman Oaks residents complain about kids selling magazine subscriptions
November 2, 2010 Sherman Oaks residents complain about kids selling magazine
subscriptions
Daily News Wire Services
Posted: 11/02/2010 04:06:08 PM PDT
Updated: 11/02/2010 04:09:02 PM PDT
SHERMAN OAKS — Los Angeles police today said they received
several complaints about a group of young people going door-to-door in Sherman
Oaks, selling magazine subscriptions. "I have met with a couple of them and they are with a crew that is dropped off in our area
and go around in the neighborhood soliciting sales for magazines,"
Officer George Aguilar of the Van Nuys Station said. Aguilar said such salesmen don't need a special license, but residents can
tell them to leave if they don't want them there. "If they refuse, they
are in violation of the trespassing laws," Aguilar said.
Daily News Wire Services
Los Angeles Daily News
http://www.dailynews.com
Woodland Hills, California Read This Story
Carroll, Iowa
Carroll Police warn about door to door salesman in Carroll DMPG Info:
Door-to-Door Sales Company:
Kirby Vacuum
Kirby Vaccum is a member of:
Direct Selling Association Direct Selling Association Web Site Read The DSA Code of Ethices
end DMPG Info October 29, 2010 Carroll Police warn about door to door salesman in Carroll
Jeff Blankman Reporting
jeff@carrollbroadcasting.com
Carroll Broadcasting Company
Posted: Friday, 29 October 2010 10:55PM
Carroll, Iowa -- The Carroll Police Department is warning residents about
door to door salesman for Kirby Vacuums Cleaners after receiving two calls
this morning about the salesperson being pushy in gaining entrance to the house and then walking into different rooms in the
house while there. Police Chief Jeff Cayler says the city ordinance states
that any salesman has to have a permit and they do not so they are not authorized to sell anything in Carroll. Cayler also stated
that the prices they are stating are extremely high. He is asking
anyone who has a salesperson from Kirby Vacuum come to their house to please contact the Carroll Police Department
immediately at 792-3536.
Jeff Blankman Reporting
jeff@carrollbroadcasting.com
Carroll Broadcasting Company
http://www.1380kcim.com Carroll, Iowa Read This Story
San Francisco, California
Police arrest persistent salesman
October 28, 2010 Police arrest persistent salesman
By: Mike Aldax
The San Francisco Examiner
10/28/10 4:28 PM PDT
A door-to-door magazine salesman was arrested last week after visiting a
reluctant Cow Hollow resident three days straight, police said. The
persistent pest received the same response each time he knocked on the woman’s door: “I am not interested
and please do not return to my house,” police said. The third time he
showed up, the afternoon of Oct. 21, the frightened neighbor called cops. When officers spotted him, the salesman
“decided to quickly jump a fence and run,” police said. More officers
arrived for the chase and found the suspect hiding in a nearby stairwell, police said. The suspect claimed he was just selling
magazines and had never been to the victim’s address, police said.
“He was lying,” police said, noting the victim had videotaped the suspect. He was arrested for trespassing.
“This is normally a crime you only get a ticket for; however, when the
police have no way of properly identifying you (as is the case in this incident), we have to book you pending a verified
identification,” police said.
maldax@sfexaminer.com
Follow The San Francisco Examiner’s crime blog, Law & Disorder, on Twitter @sflawdisorder.
By: Mike Aldax
maldax@sfexaminer.com
The San Francisco Examiner
http://www.sfexaminer.com
San Francisco, California Read This
Story
West Central Ohio
News Release DMPG Info: Door-to-Door Magazine Sales Company:
NXcess Sales, LLC.
end DMPG Info October 28, 2010 News Release
Better Business Bureau serving West Central Ohio
October 28, 2010
Re: Door-to-Door Solicitations
Contact: Neil Winget 419-223-7010
Consumers of the region are reporting to the BBB young, college-age men
are going door-to-door in their neighborhoods selling books/magazines and
claiming the proceeds go to help them or a Children’s Hospital in Columbus. They say they are working for a company
out of Phoenix, Arizona called NXcess Sales, LLC. This company has an
“F” rating from the Phoenix Better Business Bureau.
The solicitors tell stories about being from the area and say they are related to or know someone in the area, usually a neighbor
of the resident they are soliciting. In all the cases reported to us,
this has turned out to be untrue. In at least two cases, the young men claimed to be students at Ball State University.
They are described as college-age males, well dressed, and well spoken. They seem to have a good knowledge of the
neighborhoods they are working which is probably the result of research and
observation.
Consumers should be aware that such door to door solicitations can be less than honest in who they claim to be and who they
claim to support. Never give money outright to someone who calls with this
kind of approach. Always use caution when considering a donation to any charity represented by door-to-door solicitors.
If you are approached in a manner that makes you suspicious or uneasy, ask for the solicitors vending license (most
municipalities require one for door-to-door sales) and their employer’s name,
location and how much of the money raised goes to the cause. You should then call local police and report the activity to the
BBB.
Contact: Neil Winget 419-223-7010
News Release
Re: Door-to-Door Solicitations
Contact: Neil Winget 419-223-7010
http://lima.bbb.org
Better Business Bureau serving West Central Ohio Read This Story
Columbia, Missouri
Ronald McDonald House Calls Door-to-Door Magazine "Donations" a Scam
October 27, 2010 Ronald McDonald House Calls Door-to-Door Magazine "Donations"
a Scam
Posted by ; Christine Slusser Reported by ; Nicholas Chaney
Page last updated at 10-27-10 16:31 CDT
KOMU-TV8
COLUMBIA - Ronald McDonald House officials said Wednesday a local
magazine sales effort is a scam. Donors to Ronald McDonald House tipped off the
agency to the scam. Those donors said they encounted "sales reps" who said people could purchase magazine subscriptions and
make a donation to mid-Missouri's Ronald McDonald House. However, the
Ronald McDonald House said it has no connection with those magazine salesmen. "The funding given to them, as far as we
know, is not going back to the Ronald McDonald House," said Director of
Development and Communications Shannon de Leon. "We actually do not approach people's homes and ask them for
contributions." de Leon said some groups do fundraisers outside local stores and
restaurants, but all of those groups must contact the Ronald McDonald House beforehand. The house then has a list of the
groups operating legitimate fund raising efforts. Columbia's business services
manager, Janice Findlay, said it is very simple to check the legitimacy of door-to-door solicitors. The city requires any door-to-
door sales people to have a solicitor's permit in conjunction with a
business that has a business license. Businesses request these permits for certain people, and the city then does background
checks of those individuals. Once they have been approved by the city, the
solicitor can receive a permit. Findlay said those who have the permits should keep them with them any time they are doing any
door-to-door solicitation. If they don't have it, she said, "I'd be
leery of their legitimacy." Findlay also said people can call city hall to inquire about the legitimacy of any door-to-door solicitor.
de Leon said she was worried this scam could hurt the Ronald
McDonald House and make people more cynical of their fund raising efforts, and wanted to make it known that there is a safe
way to donate. "We just want our donors to know that their donations are
being taken care of when they're given to us," she said. "I don't want anyone to be taken advantage of for their
generosity."
KOMU-TV8
http://www.komu.com
Columbia, Missouri Read This Story
Pensacola, Florida
Magazine scams sweep the Gulf Coast
October 27, 2010 Magazine scams sweep the Gulf Coast
Christina Leavenworth
Photojournalist: Eric Lowe
WALA FOX10
Updated: Tuesday, 27 Oct 2009, 7:32 PM CDT
Published : Tuesday, 27 Oct 2009, 7:32 PM CDT
PENSACOLA, Fla. - Magazine sale scams are sweeping the Gulf Coast.
They worked their way through Mobile, and are now moving into Pensacola. Several
people have complained about getting duped by teens who claim they're competing for scholarships or trips.
When Charles Danbar opened his front door Monday night, a young girl stood in front of it. She was supposedly selling
magazines for her school.
"She knew her lines well, I give her credit. She gave this whole pity story about how she missed the contest last year by just five
points," Danbar said.
He and his wife bought a two-year subscription from her.
It wasn't until a few hours later, they realized something was fishy. They started asking their other neighbors about it.
"She told the one neighbor she was doing for Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts of America, told another neighbor she was trying to raise
funds, she told us she was doing it for school points," added
Danbar.
He and his wife went online, and found dozens of scam reports.
The Better Business Bureau says door to door magazine sales are often scams, and that you likely won't ever see any magazines.
But they say don't be too quick to blame the kids, because they could be
victims as well.
"We've seen some where kids really believe they're working toward scholarship. Other instances where they are participating in
scams themselves," said Karen Szulczewski, with the Better Business
Bureau.
Either way, it costs you money. The BBB says to always check with them first and usually if it's for real, the kids will come
back.
The Escambia County Sheriff's Office is investigating the latest incident.
Christina Leavenworth
Photojournalist: Eric Lowe
WALA FOX10
http://www.fox10tv.com
Pensacola, Florida Read This
Story
Bonita Springs, Florida
Magazine salesman arrested for drug possession
October 26, 2010 Magazine salesman arrested for drug possession
WBBH-TV nbc-2.com
Posted: Oct 26, 2010 12:03 PM CDT
Updated: Oct 26, 2010 12:03 PM CDT
BONITA SPRINGS: A man selling magazine subscriptions without a license was arrested for drug possession in Bonita Springs
Monday. Deputies were called to the area of Strike Lane and Busy Bee Drive
shortly before 8 p.m. about the door-to-door salesman. They found Ronald Jackson, 21, of Star, North Carolina, who said he
did not have a license for solicitation. While searching Jackson, deputies
say they found a cigarette pack with six oxycodone pills. Jackson allegedly said he had a prescription for them, but it was back
in his motel room. He's charged with Possession of a Controlled
Substance and Home Solicitation without a Permit.
WBBH-TV
http://www.nbc-2.com
Fort Myers, Florida Read This Story
Lockport, New York
Door-to-door salesman pleads guilty to burglary
October 26, 2010 Police & Courts Police Blotter
Door-to-door salesman pleads guilty to burglary
The Buffalo News
Published:
October 26, 2010, 12:00 AM
Updated: October 26, 2010, 6:38 AM
LOCKPORT—A door-to-door magazine salesman from
Schenectady, who was charged with committing burglaries when the opportunity arose as he made
his rounds, could be sentenced to as long as 15 years in prison after pleading guilty Monday to second-degree burglary. Niagara
County Judge Matthew J. Murphy III scheduled sentencing Feb. 7 for Ryan
S. Stem, 21. Stem was charged with entering a home on West Rivershore Drive in Niagara Falls on June 4 and making off with
two bottles of prescription medication as the resident was mowing his lawn.
The plea deal included dismissal of some misdemeanor charges in Schenectady and a commitment by Erie County prosecutors
to seek a concurrent sentence if Stem pleads guilty there, Assistant District
Attorney Joseph A. Scalzo said. When Stem was arrested in Niagara Falls, police found some jewelry in his car, which was
stolen from a Grand Island home.
The Buffalo News
http://www.buffalonews.com
Buffalo, New York Read This
Story
Lafayette, Indiana
Lafayette police warn of door-to-door scam DMPG Info: Police reports
indicate that the acronym WWC
stands for World Wide Circulation
BBB on WWC:
BBB Rating: F
Business Contact & Profile
Business Name: World Wide Circulation, Inc.
Pinnacle Sales
Business Address: 32008 Harper Avenue
St. Clair Shores, MI 48082
Original Business Start Date: 1/1/1984
Principal: Teresa Brisendine, Office Manager
Phone Number: (586) 415-8078
Fax Number: (586) 415-4874
BBB Accreditation: This business is not a BBB Accredited Business
Type of Business: WHOLESALERS & DISTRIBUTORS
Products and Services
According to the firm, World Wide Circulation, Inc. is a "clearing house,
whose purpose is to process magazine orders
and help customers with their magazine orders."
Lafayette police are warning area residents of an apparent door-to-door
sales scam. According to police, representatives of a company providing the
acronym WWC are going door to door selling books and saying the proceeds are to benefit Riley Hospital for Children in
Indianapolis. During at least one incident, a person purchased books with a
check, eventually finding out the check was later altered to show a different amount. The victim lost $300, police said. Officials
from Riley Hospital told police the hospital is not participating in
any door-to-door sales of this kind. Police are investigating the incident. Police recommend people verify the accuracy of
anybody conducting any similar sales. Anyone with information should contact
Lafayette Police Detective B.T. Brown at (765) 807-1256.
STAFF REPORTS
JCOnline
http://www.jconline.com
Lafayette, Indiana Read This Story
Evansville, Indiana
Door-to-door magazine group targets tri-state consumers DMPG Info:
Door-to-Door Magazine Sales Company:
Top Sales
a.k.a. Southern Circulation, Inc.
BBB on Southern Circulation:
Business Contact and Profile for Southern Circulation, Inc.
Name: Southern Circulation, Inc.
Phone: (256) 882-2116
Address: 3801 Triana Blvd SW Ste 1
Huntsville, AL 35805-5385
Principal: Mr. Howard Brock, President
Customer Contact: Mr. Howard Brock, President - (256) 882-1540 or hobro11@yahoo.com
Email Address: hobro11@yahoo.com
Entity: Corporation
Incorporated: October 2007, AL
File Open Date: April 2007
Type of Business: Magazine Sales
BBB Accreditation: No
Additional DBA Names: C & S
BBB on Top Sales:
BBB Rating: F
Business Contact and Profile for Top Sales
Name: Top Sales
Phone: (256) 233-3838
Address: 25297 Mahalo Cir
Madison, AL 35756-3057
Original Business Start Date: May 2008
Principal: Ms. Juanita Brock, Owner
Customer Contact: Ms. Juanita Brock, Owner - (256) 233-3838 or topsales011@aol.com
Email Address: topsales011@aol.com
Entity: Sole Proprietor
Employees: 2
Type of Business: Magazine Sales
BBB Accreditation: No
Additional DBA Names: Nations Top Sales
National Top Sales
end DMPG Info October 25, 2010 Door-to-door magazine group targets tri-state consumers
14WFIE.com
Posted: Oct 25, 2010 2:10 PM CDT
Updated: Oct 25, 2010 2:10 PM CDT
EVANSVILLE, IN (WFIE) - The Tri-State BBB is receiving inquiries
regarding a company called Top Sales, who supposedly sells magazines to be
delivered to soldiers overseas.
Per the BBB's Reliability Report for this company, complainants primarily allege that magazines are not received after payment is
made. In some cases, complainants indicate that they called the
company to cancel their order but never received a response from the business.
A local consumer reports that they were charged $49, before shipping and handling, for magazines never received.
The Huntsville BBB reports that this Alabama company has resolved some matters after a long delay, by delivering magazines,
and in a few cases, a refund was provided.
Top Sales is not a BBB Accredited Business and currently holds an F rating on the BBB's scale of A+ to F. To view the full
report, go to
http://www.bbb.org/northern-alabama/business-reviews/magazine-sales/top-sales-in- madison-al-900046027.
Reasons for the "F" rating include the short length of time the business has been operating and its overall complaint history with
the BBB. BBB records show Top Sales started business in May 2008,
and since that time the Bureau has received 208 complaints filed against the business. Of the complaint total, 117 complaints
were deemed to be serious and 10 remain unresolved. The BBB's standard
reporting period for complaints is 3 years.
The Federal Trade Commission rule states that on door-to-door sales of $25 or more, consumers have the right to cancel the
transaction up until midnight of the third business day after the date of
sale. The rule applies to any sales agreement made away from seller's normal place of business, such as at a private residence,
hotel, or restaurant.
Additionally, the rule states that sellers must tell you of your rights to cancel, give you a contract or receipt, and provide two
copies of your notice of cancellation. The contract should be dated
and clearly show the name and address of the seller.
If you cancel, the seller must also provide your money within ten business days and return to you any documents you have
signed.
If you have additional questions on a door to door magazine transaction or need to file a complaint with your BBB, please visit
www.evansville.bbb.org or call 812-473-0202, for further
direction.
Beaverton, Oregon
Beaverton Man Warns Of Scammers
October 22, 2010 Beaverton Man Warns Of Scammers
Young Man Claimed To Be Selling Magazines For Soccer Trip
POSTED: 8:02 pm PDT October 22, 2010
UPDATED: 9:09 pm PDT October 22, 2010
Fox 12 KPTV
BEAVERTON, Ore. -- A Beaverton man issued a warning Friday about
scammers posing as door-to-door magazines salespeople. The man, who wished to only
be identified as Thomas, said a young man came to his front door Thursday night and claimed to live in the neighborhood. He
claimed to be selling subscriptions to raise money for his junior college
soccer team so he could travel to Hawaii at the end of the month to play in a tournament, Thomas said. The young man also said
he had just sold magazines to a neighbor. Thomas said he wrote a check
for $65 and had the subscriptions sent to a charity. But, soon after, Thomas said he learned the sales pitch was a farce.
“No, none of it’s true. He doesn't live in the house up the
street. He showed me a check from a neighbor and that person doesn't exist in our neighborhood. Obviously, he got the check
from me and was gone -- haven't seen him since,” he said. Thomas said
he was able to stop payment on the check and closed his account. Police advised people to be wary of traveling
salespeople.
Fox 12 KPTV
http://www.kptv.com
Portland, Oregon Read This Story
Shawneetown, Illinois
Police warn of door-to-door magazine scam DMPG Info: Door-to-Door
Magazine Sales Company:
Crossroads Subscription
a.k.a.: Wood Sales, Inc.
a.k.a.: Lone Star Subscriptions
BBB:
BBB Rating: F
Business Contact and Profile
Name: Crossroads Subscriptions
Phone: (940) 365-3460
Address: 4800 S Hwy 377
Aubrey, TX 76227
File Open Date: May 2009
Type of Business: Magazines - Subscription Agents
BBB Accreditation: This company is not a BBB Accredited business.
Additional DBA Names: CRS Inc.
Additional Locations and Phone Numbers
Additional Addresses
488 Hwy 377 S
Aubrey, TX 76227
Door-to-Door Magazine Clearinghouse:
All Star Promotions
a.k.a.: ASP, Inc.
BBB:
Business Contact and Profile
Name: Allstar Promotions, Inc.
Phone: (940) 686-9196
Address: 1017 N. Highway 377
Suite 100
Pilot Point, TX 76258
Original Business Start Date: October 1995
Principal: Mr. Russell Wood, President
Customer Contact: Ms. Jennifer Ware, Office Manager
Type of Business: Magazine Sales
BBB Accreditation: This company is not a BBB Accredited business.
Additional Locations and Phone Numbers
Additional Phone Numbers
Tel: (817) 686-9196
Tel: (205) 663-1397
Tel: (940) 686-3330
Tel: (888) 826-5809
end DMPG Info October 22, 2010 Police warn of door-to-door magazine scam
Posted: Oct 22, 2010 3:35 PM CDT
Updated: Oct 22, 2010 3:35 PM CDT
By Heartland News
KFVS12
SHAWNEETOWN, IL (KFVS) - Police say there is another group of
people going door to door selling magazine subscriptions and they fear it's just
another scam. Police say a group selling magazines in Shawneetown claim you can win a trip to Mexico, and even a chance at a
$1000 prize. Investigators say the sales people from "Crossroads
Subscription" out of Aubrey, Texas did not get a permit. The Better Business Bureau says they company has an "F" rating. Chief
Patton reported the group to the Illinois attorney general's office and
they have since left the area. A similar operation was happening in both Cape Girardeau and Murphysboro. Police say you
should ask to see a peddler's permit before doing any business with door to
door sales people.
By Heartland News
KFVS12
http://www.kfvs12.com
Carterville, Illinois Read This Story
Salinas, California
Police: Burglars Dressed As Vacuum Salesmen
October 20, 2010 Police: Burglars Dressed As Vacuum Salesmen
Police: Men Told Victim They Were Selling Rainbow Vacuums
KSBW
POSTED: 2:33 pm PDT October 20, 2010
UPDATED: 2:58 pm PDT October 20, 2010
SALINAS, Calif. -- Salinas police are issuing a warning to the public after
they said two men dressed as vacuum salesmen burglarized a home Tuesday.
A homeowner in the 1000 block of John Street said two men came to her home at about 1:26 p.m. and identified themselves as
salesman for Rainbow Vacuums, police said. The men asked the victim if she
wanted a demonstration on how the vacuum worked. The woman told the men she was on her way out of the house, did not
have time and left. Police said when the woman returned, she found her front door
kicked in and her home burglarized. The two men were described to officers as wearing professional attire and carrying
notepads and pens, police said. Because of their appearance, police said the
victim never asked for identification or credentials. One of the men was described as in his early 20s with a thin build, light
complexion, a fade-type haircut and a tattoo on the right side of his
neck. The second man was described as in his early 20s with a heavy build, dark complexion and dark hair that was short and
slicked back. Police are reminding the public that door-to-door
salespersons should always show proper identification and credentials issued by the company they represent. If there is any
doubt that a salesperson is not legitimate, local law enforcement should be
contacted.
KSBW
http://www.ksbw.com
Salinas, California Read This Story
Houston, Texas
Katy Area Residents Warned About Possible Magazine Sales Scam DMPG Info:
Door-to-Door Magazine Sales Company/Clearinghouse:
Atlantic Circulation, Inc.
Website: http://www.atlanticcirculation.com Google Search: Atlantic Circulation Google Search
This Site For: Atlantic Circulation BBB:
Business Contact and Profile
Name: Atlantic Circulation, Inc.
Phone: (717) 755-3480
Address: 2550 Kingston Road, York, PA 17402
Business Category: Magazines Sold Door-to-Door, Publishers-Directory ∓mp; Guide
eMail: customerservice@atlanticcirculation.com
BBB file opened: March 06, 2000
Business started: September 1998
Primary Contact: Mr. Daniel W. Shoemaker, III (President)
Complaint Contact: Ms. April Hartman (Office Manager)
Alternate Business Names
Atlantic Circulation
Products and Services
This company offers data processing of subscriptions for direct sales companies.
Additional Locations and Phone Numbers
2 College Avenue, P.o. Box 448, Mountville, PA 17554
(570) 285-4504
Magazine Sales Crew A.K.A. for Atlantic Circulation:
Atlantic Periodical Sales Inc, Berlingeri Salesm, Condella Sales, Double Douce Subscription Inc ,Foster Sales, G T Sales,
Jamison Sales, King Sales, Lamb Sales Inc, McLemore Sales,Platinum Plus ,Red
Hot Sales, Robinson Sales, Strictly Business Inc, Stubbs Sales, Success Unlimited Associates Inc ,United Subscription Service
Corp, White Sales, Yingst Sales end DMPG Info October 19,
2010 Katy Area Residents Warned About Possible Magazine Sales
Scam
By: John Pape on Tue, Oct 19, 2010
InstantnewsKaty.com
Katy area residents are being warned about a possible magazine sales scam
being operated in the area.
The reported rip-off involves a young person, purporting to be either in high school or college, going door-to-door selling
magazine subscriptions.
The sales person claims he or she is earning “points” for a vacation – usually to some popular
destination such as Hawaii – for each magazine sold.
According to the sales presentation, the sales person can sell additional points for certain magazines. If a customer agrees to
purchase magazines, they are often asked for at least a portion of the
sale to be in cash, with the sales person telling the customer they would “get the points recorded today” if they
could have at least part of the payment in cash.
In many cases, the magazines never arrive and the sales person is, in fact, part of a traveling team with no school affiliation.
Typically, most of the money goes to sales “agents” who
pocket the cash. There have also been reports of young people abandoned in communities far from home by the unscrupulous
middle-men.
The recent door-to-door sales have been reported in residential areas and apartments in the Mason Road and Fry Road areas
over the past few weeks. While descriptions of the sales people differ, every
potential customer approached has reported the sales representative to be a young woman about 20 years of age.
The company involved is Atlantic Circulation of York, Penn., which has an extensive history of complaints with the Better
Business Bureau.
According to Jessica Fontenot, who lives in the Memorial West area, she received a visit from a female sales person about a
week ago.
“She was very polished; I was a little surprised at that. And she looked a little old to be in school,” Fontenot
said. “She tried very hard to get inside; she was pushy but not
rude. And she was very insistent.”
Fontenot said she repeatedly told the young woman she was not interested, but the sales rep did not want to take
“no” for an answer.
“She also kept asking a lot of personal questions that I was uncomfortable answering. Stuff like what neighbors are at
home in the daytime and what kind of cars they drive,” Fontenot
said. “She just didn’t need to know all that.”
Fontenot said the sales person also asked to put a sticker on her door, ostensibly to keep other sales representatives away.
“I let her do it just to get rid of her and then took (the sticker) off right after she left. I don’t know what that
mark meant; it just seemed suspicious to me,” she said.
According to reports on file with the Better Business Bureau of Washington, DC – which covers eastern Pennsylvania
where Atlantic Circulation is located – it has received 150 complaints
on the company in the last 36 months and 52 complaints in the last 12 months. Most of the complaints were related to
“selling practices.”
The BBB of Washington also showed the company had a separate address in Mountville, Penn.
In addition to having two listed addressed, a host of “sales groups” with different names have reportedly been
clearing subscriptions through Atlantic Circulation. Some of those sales
groups include:
- Atlantic Periodical Sales Inc
- Berlingeri Sales
- Condella Sales
- Double Douce Subscription Inc
- Foster Sales
- G T Sales
- Jamison Sales
- King Sales
- Lamb Sales Inc
- McLemore Sales
- Platinum Plus
- Red Hot Sales
- Robinson Sales
- Strictly Business Inc
- Stubbs Sales
- Success Unlimited Associates Inc
- United Subscription Service Corp
- White Sales
- Yingst Sales
Before making a decision on purchasing magazines from a door-to-door salesperson, the Better Business Bureau urges
consumers to consider the fact the National Consumers League estimates that 50,000
children nationwide are involved in traveling sales crews selling consumer items door-to-door and on city street corners. The
youth groups are often transported hundreds of miles from their homes,
often across state lines.
Many of the young people are victims themselves. The National Consumers League has consistently ranked “traveling
crews” among the worst jobs available for youth and indicates that they
can also constitute a dangerous environment.
Anyone wanting more information about door-to-door magazine sale scams, or wanting to file a complaint, can contract the
Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston at 713-868-9500 or go to the website
at www.bbb.org.
By: John Pape on Tue, Oct 19, 2010
InstantnewsKaty.com
http://instantnewskaty.com
Houston, Texas
She was pregnant with twins when she embarked on a mission to sell
magazines door-to-door in several states.
When it was over, Starla J. Harjo, 21, of Seminole, Okla., lost both babies at birth in Buffalo and was arrested at least four
times and jailed for a variety of charges related to the door-to-door
sales scam.
One of those arrests happened in Batavia, just four days after one of her children died in utero and the other shortly after
birth.
Harjo was arrested July 29 after stealing checks from a city resident. She later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six months in
jail.
Harlo appeared in Genesee County Court Monday to waive extradition to Pennsylvania, where she faces a charge of stealing
prescription drugs from an apartment while she conducted sales.
Harjo was arrested April 17 in Quakertown, Pa., one of several states she and at least one friend were working selling
magazines.
She skipped out on the Pennsylvania charges and was arrested for stealing a wallet from the counter of a man's home in Florida.
She, along with Jessica Rosenengal of Florida were charged with grand
larceny, peddling without a license and unlawful possession of marijuana.
Both women were then arrested in Cheektowaga the weekend of June 6. The two allegedly stole a wallet from a kitchen
table.
Harjo was still in the Buffalo area when she lost her twins.
The Batavia arrest four days later was her last as she has remained in jail ever since. She will be returned to Pennsylvania
sometime this month.
''She's waiving extradition to Pennsylvania,'' her attorney, Frederick Rarick said before the appearance in court. ''I asked the
judge for probation. The district attorney asked for prison. Judge
(Robert) Noonan gave her six months, which was appreciated, so she could be extradited back to Pennsylvania.
''It's a very sad story. She's a good kid and was under a lot of pressure and she picked up a number of matters. Hopefully, she
can get back to her family in Oklahoma.''
By Scott DeSmit sdesmit@batavianews.com
The Daily News Online
http://thedailynewsonline.com
Batavia, New York Read This
Story
Oxford, Mississippi
Company earns ‘F’ grade from BBB DMPG Info: Door-to-Door
Magazine Sales Company:
Exclusive Media Services
BBB: BBB: Exclusive Media Services
BBB Rating: F
Business Contact & Profile
ID: 44005167
Business Name: Exclusive Media Services, Inc.
National Publishers, Inc.
Business Address: 814 Jackson Ave E
Oxford, MS 38655
Type of Entity: Corporation
Incorporated: 2006 in MS
Principal: Dan Wilson, Operations Manager
Phone Number: (662) 796-1901
(800) 496-0814
Email Address: magazinepro@gmail.com
BBB Accreditation: This business is not a BBB Accredited Business
Type of Business: MAGAZINES - DEALERS Google Search: Exclusive Media
Services Google Search: National Publishers
Inc
end DMPG Info October 18, 2010 Company earns ‘F’ grade from BBB
Writer: Alyssa Schnugg
Oxford Eagle
Published: October 18, 2010
When you deal with 20,000 customers selling magazines, Dan Wilson,
owner of Exclusive Media Services in Oxford, says having complaints is
unavoidable. However, the Better Business Bureau claims having 128 complaints filed against a company the size of EMS is
unacceptable. The BBB showed its views by giving the magazine sales company an
“F” rating. (October 18, 2010, Page 1)
Writer: Alyssa Schnugg
Oxford Eagle
http://oxfordeagle.com
Oxford, Mississippi Read This Story
Carter County, Tennessee
Magazine solicitors invade dorms and apartments DMPG Info: Door-to-Door
Magazine Sales Company:
Someday Sales, Inc. (SSI)
BBB:
BBB Rating: F
Some Day Sales, Inc.
Address:
Post Office Box 574
Arden, NC 28704
Tel: (770) 851-2753
Fax:
Web Site:
Contact: David Fussell - owner
Business Start Date: N/A
Company ID: 92004222
Nature of Business:
The nature of this business is Magazines Retail By Direct Selling.
end DMPG Info October 16, 2010 Magazine solicitors invade dorms and apartments
Lauren MacGrath
The Stampede
Milligan College
Issue date: 10/16/09 Section: News
If a visit from Chad with blonde hair and a thin guy with thick-rimmed
glasses left your room smelling like an ashtray last Saturday, you are not
alone. If you wrote a check to buy magazines for yourself or donate magazines to children in hospitals, you are probably not
alone either.
Saturday around 4:30 p.m., two men invited themselves into my MSA apartment saying something about Bible study, Project
Runway and The Amazing Race-Chad making himself comfortable on my couch and his
wingman standing in the doorway quietly and awkwardly.
Chad had the uncanny ability to punch you in the face with his personality.
Before my roommate and I knew what was happening, Chad thrust laminated slips of paper with a cornucopia of magazine titles
on them into our hands.
"Do you know what a fundraiser is?" Chad asked.
"Yes, of course," I responded as an educated college student and former Girl Scout.
Chad was filling out magazine subscription order forms before my roommate or I even agreed to pick out a magazine. When we
started getting suspicious and asking questions, Chad conveniently informed
us that he had only 10 order forms a day and if we decided not to order anything we wasted one-fifth of his forms. Shucks. And
we never fully understood how picking out a magazine was going to help
Chad and his wingman win a trip to Europe either.
Confused? We were.
So, like a doormat, I wrote out a check for $40 and soon Chad and Wingman were on their way out the door.
"I was taken for a fool," said my roommate, junior Kelly Carnathan, who went halfsies with me on the "Jack and Jill" magazine
we donated to a children's hospital and of which we would never see the
fruits.
Soon after cigarette-breath Chad and Wingman left, I was on the computer searching for their corporation, Someday Sales, Inc.
(SSI) and my roommate called SSI's contact number, 1-866-913-3761. Better
Business Bureau gave the company a C- rating, but otherwise has little information about the company. Their company number
asks you to "please enjoy the (twangy country) music while your party is
reached," and then reaches Dave Fussell's answering machine.
All of this was loudly yelling, "RIP OFF," perhaps louder than the other day when I was short-changed $4.50 at Sonic.
We also figured unapproved and non-advertised soliciting is probably not allowed on campus, so we called security to come
check it out.
I did, however, follow Chad and Wingman as they were leaving another innocent and impressionable apartment and on the way
to their car, demanding they give me my check back.
Chad and Wingman returned my check and left before security arrived.
So if smoky Chad and his quiet companion bombarded you, I urge you to call your bank and stop payment on your check. My
guess is they likely pocketed your money for their trip to Europe or will use
it to buy a 10-pack carton of cigarettes. And if you're feeling guilty or have the hankering to be compassionate, maybe visit a kid
in a hospital instead of supposedly sending him or her a
subscription of National Geographic for Kids.
Lauren MacGrath
The Stampede
Milligan College
http://media.www.milliganstampede.com
Carter County, Tennessee Read This Story
Elk Grove, California
Wallet Stolen By Girls Going Door to Door in Glenbrooke
October 16, 2010 Wallet Stolen By Girls Going Door to Door in Glenbrooke
Posted by Mary Weatherill • October 16, 2010
GlenbrookeNews.com
I was notified at 9:00 pm this evening, Friday the 15th, that there were some
girls going door to door selling magazines around 6:00 pm this
evening. They went to at least two homes on Sheffield--Village 1. At one of the homes they asked to use the restroom and
sometime while they were inside the home they took the resident's wallet.
Needless to say both residents are upset. The Police Officer asked me to notify all of you to not let anyone into your home
selling anything, day or night. I hope you all were notified by your Block
Captains this last week, about the Press Release from the Police Department concerning magazine sales guys who once they got
into the home using the "ruse" of selling magazines they displayed a
handgun. They searched the house --stole a safe. We don't want any of our residents to be put into this position. If anyone else
was approached by these girls or another set of magazine sales people-
in the last few days-please call me and let me know. If any of you have any questions regarding this information--please call
me.Mary Weatherill--Glenbrooke Neighborhood Watch coordinator
686-3390
Posted by Mary Weatherill
GlenbrookeNews.com
http://www.glenbrookenews.com
Elk Grove, California Read This
Story
University of Southern Indiana
Solicitors thrown off campus DMPG Info: Door-to-Door Magazine Sales
Company:
Alliance Service Company
Member: National Field Selling Association (NFSA)
see DMPG info clip below this story
end DMPG Info October 16, 2010 Solicitors thrown off
campus
Written by Zach Evans, Editor in Chief
The Shield
University of Southern Indiana's Student Newspaper
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Three men were escorted off campus by security for solicitation and
harassment last Wednesday.
According to a campus security incident report, Anil Kermally, 25, James Miller, 33, and Jason Scutudenk, 18, were on campus
Oct. 6 claiming to sell magazines.
Security officer J. Lynn had asked Kermally, who identified himself as the manager of the group, that he was not allowed to be
on campus selling magazines due to a 'no solicitation policy' of the
university at 1:41 p.m.
According to the report, Kermally said he was going to leave at the time.
Following this incident at 3:45 p.m., Scutudenk and Miller were confronted by security and informed of the 'no solicitation
policy.' They claimed to be employees of the Illinois based Alliance
Service Company. They were then escorted off campus.
According to the report Miller said that Kermally had left campus prior to their arrival.
Student Mallory Chaffin had several encounters with males matching the description of the solicitors earlier in the day.
According to the report and testimony from Chaffin, during her smoke break one of the males approached her asked if she
wanted to purchase a magazine subscription.
Chaffin told the individual that she did not have her wallet on her. He asked if he could have her address to come by later to sell
a subscription and to 'give her something else.'
Chaffin said the male then told her, "he had a thing for Asian girls and that he had yellow fever." She then walked away from the
individual.
According to the report, on a second occasion the same subject ran up behind her and kissed her on the back of the head.
Chaffin turned around assuming it was her boyfriend and instead saw the man
backing away from her and again he said, "Sorry, I have yellow fever."
While not in the incident report, Chaffin said that following the kiss the male continued to grab at her.
"I was uncomfortable, there was like three of them and one of me and the same guy kept grabbing at my butt as I'm walking
away, that's when I got my boyfriend," Chaffin said.
The final confrontation occurred when Chaffin walked through the area by the University Center and Orr Center with her
boyfriend who, according to the report, "exchanged heated words with one of the
solicitors and advised them to leave Chaffin alone."
According to the manager of the group, Kermally, he was present during the first incident involving Chaffin.
"Everyone has a different sense of humor in America," Kermally said. "It was just a joke someone didn't understand, just out-
going employees getting the sale."
Kermally continued to say, "She never told us she didn't like it...if a comment was said, it wasn't meant to be hurtful. We don't
stereotype, it's sales."
Alliance Service Company
According to the incident report, campus security contacted the Alliance Service Company and spoke with Anne Rossa who
identified herself as the office manager.
Security informed Rossa that individuals that identified themselves with Alliance were escorted off campus for solicitation.
Security then advised Rossa that any solicitors or individuals identifying
themselves to be employees of Alliance found to be on USI property in the future would be subject to arrest for
trespassing.
Alliance Service Company said Rossa is an accountant, not an office manager. A woman who would only identify herself as
'Kristie' said she has been the office manager for 12 years.
"I've never heard such claim while working here the entire time," Kristie said.
She said that Alliance is a clearing agency and that Kermally has a contract with Alliance to process the magazine orders.
Alliance has no control over the sales tactics of the independent
contractors.
In response to the alleged comments made by the solicitors, Kristie said, "Is it unprofessional, absolutely. Is it wrong,
absolutely."
"We're very transparent," Kristie said.
The Better Business Bureau gives Alliance Service Company a rating of C- with 29 complaints registered against the company in
the past 36 months, all of which have been closed with 10 being closed in
the last year.
Security
Assistant Director of Security Stephen Bequette wants to encourage students to be aware of university policies to decrease the
number of incidents such as these.
"Number one, know what the university policy on solicitiation is," Bequette said.
"If you are solicited against, call us and we will approach these people and see what their business is."
Bequette said this isn't the first time solicitors have been on campus.
"It seems like every year these companies come from different areas of the country.
These private vendors will have a group of them and just drop them off in neighborhoods, drop them off on college campuses to
scam whoever they can."
Written by Zach Evans, Editor in Chief
The Shield
University of Southern Indiana's Student Newspaper
http://www.usishield.com
Southern Indiana Read This Story
DMPG Info Clip:
Research Alliance Service Company
aka: Thoroughbred Sales Co.
1875 B Rohlwing Road
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
Phone: 847-253-7766
Fax: 847-253-7795
President: Ms. Sandra Hall
Customer Contact: Ms. Christie Skoufis (Belpedio?) Customer Service Manager
Former president: Thomas Mack Hall, a founder of the National Field Selling Association.
Website: http://www.allianceserviceco.com
BBB on Alliance Service Co., Inc.
Business Contact and Profile for Alliance Service Co., Inc.
Name: Alliance Service Co., Inc.
Phone: (847) 253-7766
Fax: (847) 253-7795
Address: 1875 Rohlwing Rd
Ste B
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008-4804
Website: www.allianceserviceco.com
Original Business Start Date: January 1979
Principal: Ms. Sandra Hall, President
Email Address: support@allianceserviceco.com
Type of Business: Magazines - Dealers, Magazine Sales
BBB Accreditation: Alliance Service Co., Inc. is not a BBB Accredited business.
Additional DBA Names: Alliance Service Company (ASCI)
Thoroughbred Sales Co.
Suffern, New York
Suffern police arrest door-to-door salesman, find warrant for his arrest in Georgia DMPG Info: Door-to-Door Cleaner Sales Company:
Sierra Solutions
end DMPG Info October 15, 2010 Suffern police arrest door-to-door salesman, find warrant for his arrest in Georgia
By James O'Rourke • jorourke@lohud.com • October 15, 2010
LoHud.com
The Journal News
SUFFERN — A Georgia man who police say was illegally selling
cleaning supplies door to door was arrested after it was found that he was wanted
by Georgia authorities for violating his parole. Michael John Joslin, 31, of Dawsonville, Ga., was held in the Rockland County
jail Wednesday, awaiting extradition to his home state, police said.
Joslin was selling his goods near Woodland Drive about 6:40 p.m. Tuesday when the owner of one of the homes he had
approached reported him to police. Officers were able to identify the suspect a
short time later, using a description provided by the homeowner. When questioned by police, Joslin could not provide the proper
permits required for door-to-door sales in the village and was placed
under arrest. An investigation revealed that Joslin had violated his parole and a warrant had been issued for his arrest in Georgia.
How Joslin violated his parole was not clear. His criminal history
was unavailable. Suffern police Detective Craig Long said Joslin had been successful in soliciting a personal check for $74 from
one village resident who had purchased cleaning supplies. The resident
was notified by police and his check was returned. Long said police advised Joslin's employer, Sierra Solutions, to apply for the
proper permits with the village clerk if it wished to continue
conducting business in the village. No one from Sierra Solutions, a California-based company, was available for comment
Wednesday, and an e-mail sent to the company went unanswered. Long urged all
residents to challenge any door-to-door sales representatives to produce the proper documentation before making any
transactions. "Many times, people think the salesman has probably applied for the
proper permits," Long said. "If they can't produce a permit, residents should check with the village clerk or notify the police right
away." Joslin was arraigned before Justice Richard H. Ackerson
and charged with solicitation without a permit, a violation. It was not clear if Joslin would answer to that charge before or after
his extradition. No date had been scheduled for his return to
Village Court.
By James O'Rourke • jorourke@lohud.com
LoHud.com
The Journal News
http://www.lohud.com
White Plains, NY Read This Story
Wikipedia
Are those kinds of door-to-door magazine sales scams?
October 15, 2010 Are those kinds of door-to-door magazine sales scams?
Wikipedia
DMPG
Info: Door-to-Door Magazine Sales Company:
Someday Sales, Inc.
P.O. Box 574, Arden, North Carolina 28704
BBB rating: F Google Search: "Someday Sales" Google Search: "Some day Sales"
end DMPG Info
Illinois
October 13, 2010 Rip Off Report:
Report: #650398
Report: Pacific Coast Clearing Services
Reported By: youwillgodown ( Illinois United States of America)
Pacific Coast Clearing Services Tower of Power Sales Inc. SCAM!! Stole Credit
Card to Purchase a $400 CELL PHONE from MY BANK ACCOUNT!!! Gig Harbor,
Washington
...
Pacific Coast Clearing Services
5775 Soundview DR. #104 C
Gig Harbor Washington
United States of America
Phone: 253-851-8414
Web Address: www.pccsonline.com
Category: Door to door sales people
Submitted: Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Posted: Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Fairway, Kansas
Fairway puts out warning about aggressive door-to-door salesmen
October 13, 2010 Fairway puts out warning about aggressive door-to-door
salesmen
Posted by PVPoster on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 at 6:00 am.
Prairie Village Post
Fairway police are warning local residents about a group of traveling
salesmen who may be employing aggressive — and potentially illegal
— door-to-door sales tactics. According to a memo sent from Fairway police chief John Simmons to mayor Jerry Wiley,
a large sales staff has recently taken up residence at an Overland Park
motel. Their activities in the area have prompted a number of calls to police with reports of “threatening or
harassing” sales tactics. Prairie Village police report that the number and
severity of reports they’ve had about door-to-door sales people has not been out of the ordinary, and that thus far the
bulk of the problems with the group have been in other municipalities.
Both Fairway and Prairie Village require people who go door-to-door to file for solicitors permits. In Fairway, solicitors must
wear their permits around their necks and have them clearly visible. If
a door-to-door salesman comes to your house without a solicitor’s license, you’re encouraged to call the police
department.
Posted by PVPoster on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 at 6:00
am.
Prairie Village Post
http://pvpost.com
Prairie Village, Kansas Read This
Story
Conway, South Carolina
State investigators warns of scams
October 12, 2010 State investigators warns of scams
By Brandon Herring
WMBF News
Posted: Oct 12, 2010 6:24 PM CDT
Updated: Oct 12, 2010 7:02 PM CDT
CONWAY, SC (WMBF) - Max Thomsen spent his Tuesday washing the
outside of his home, which he has had in the Island Green community of Horry County
since 1989. He said about three weeks ago two young men came through saying they were Coastal Carolina University students
and they were selling magazine subscriptions to raise money for a study
abroad program.
"I trusted them," Thomsen said. "They seemed like very nice young fellows."
However, university spokesperson Martha Hunn said those students were not affiliated with the university. She said the school's
name is sometimes used for unauthorized fundraising, so it is important
for people to ask questions.
"The university is fortunate," Hunn said. "We have a great relationship with the community, and often we rely on the community to
let us know when something is up - when something is going on that
may not be right."
Doug Renew is the chief investigator for South Carolina's Secretary of State. Tuesday he was at the Conway Kiwanis Club to
warn everyone about some common tricks scam artists use. He said scams often
increase during the holiday season when people are feeling more charitable.
"Name recognition is a common ploy used by people who are not legitimate charities," Renew said is regards to the unauthorized
use of CCU's name.
He said the best way to give to charities confidently is by doing research first. There are several online sources and state
agencies that provide information about registered charities.
Renew also said one thing donors can do if you feel they are ready to give to charity is make contact with that charity directly
instead of giving in response to a solicitation.
Thomsen said he did ask the young men questions, but they had a lot of stories about their family and even the community. Those
stories distracted Thomsen from specifics about the money or the study
abroad program.
"Ask more questions," he commented. "That's what I should have done. I should have asked more questions about what they
were really going to do with their money - maybe a little bit more
background."
By Brandon Herring
WMBF News
http://www.wmbfnews.com
Myrtle Beach, SC
Florence, SC Read This
Story
Roseville, California
Fake student scams woman of $180
October 12, 2010 Fake student scams woman of $180
Roseville Press Tribune
~ Staff report
10/12/10
A thief posing as a student selling magazine subscriptions cheated a young
woman in Roseville of $180, California State University, Sacramento
announced Friday. The woman reportedly thought she was supporting a fundraiser for the school’s communications
studies department. She met the alleged scam artist at Wal-Mart in Roseville.
Department chair Nick Burnett said such a fundraiser would not be allowed, according to a press release. The university warned
residents to beware similar scams and to contact law enforcement in case
of theft.
Roseville Press Tribune
~ Staff report
http://rosevillept.com
Roseville, California
Read This Story
Elk Grove, California
Ruse Used In Elk Grove Robbery
October 5, 2010 Ruse Used In Elk Grove Robbery
2 Men Sought
KCRA 3 TV
POSTED: 9:16 am PDT October 5, 2010
UPDATED: 9:44 am PDT October 5, 2010
ELK GROVE, Calif. -- Police are seeking the public's help to find two men
accused of using a ruse of selling magazines to carry out a residential
robbery in Elk Grove.
On Sept. 15, 2010 at 5 p.m., the two suspects targeted a home in the 9400 block of Havenview Way, police said.
Once inside, one of the suspects displayed a handgun as the other robber entered and searched the residence, authorities
said.
The robbers were able to remove a safe containing money and two piggy banks containing coins.
Both robbers fled with the stolen property and were last seen driving away in a blue and gray mid-1980s Oldsmobile Cutlass
two-door coupe with large chrome wheels.
The residents were not hurt.
Detectives were able to identify one of the men suspected of carrying out the robbery as 28-year-old Adam Coleman. Witnesses
told police Coleman was armed with a handgun during the robbery.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Coleman. Detectives have been unable to locate him at his Sacramento home.
Detectives have been unable to identify the second robber, who was described as an African-American man with a medium
complexion. He is said to be about 19 years old, 5 feet 11 inches tall and about
220 pounds. He had dreadlocks.
Anyone with information should call the Elk Grove Police Department Detective Bureau at 916-478-8060 or Crime Alert at
916-443-HELP (4357). Callers to Crime Alert can remain anonymous and may be
eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Tips can also be texted by entering CRIMES (274637), followed by Tip732 (agency
identification number) and the message.
KCRA 3 TV
http://www.kcra.com
Sacramento, California Read This Story
Overland Park, Kansas
Authorities Warn Of Pushy Door-To-Door Sales DMPG Info: Door-to-Door
Cleaner Sales Company:
T&B Sales, Inc.
Cleaner Sales Clearinghouse:
Austin Diversified Products, Inc.
Website: http://www.advanage.com Google Search: Austin Diversified
Products
end DMPG Info October 4, 2010 Authorities Warn Of Pushy Door-To-Door Sales
2 Salesmen Arrested Last Week
KMBC-TV
POSTED: 9:44 am CDT October 4, 2010
UPDATED: 11:10 am CDT October 4, 2010
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- Authorities in Johnson County, Kan., are
warning residents about pushy door-to-door sales representatives. Overland Park
police arrested two people last week on suspicion of aggressive soliciting. Resident Sherry Devaney said a representative from
T&B Sales went too far. "Very, very pushy. She started calling mom
immediately when I answered the door. 'Well, hi mom. How are you?'" Devaney said. Devaney told KMBC's Cliff Judy that
before she even reached the front door, the sales rep was already cleaning with a
bottle of cleaner called Green Apple Advantage. Devaney said the woman even came into her home uninvited. "I thought, 'I can't
believe you just followed me right into the house.' I, kind of, wanted
to get rid of her. I said, 'OK, ' I thought just to get you out of my hair, I'll buy some," Devaney said. Johnson County prosecutors
and Overland Park police warning residents about T&B Sales.
Police told Judy that sales representatives are ignoring no-solicitation signs and even making threats. Officers arrested two
T&B salesmen -- one for warrants and the second for making threats
after a homeowner refused to buy the products. "I think they train them to be that way," Devaney said. "I think they're taking the
people. I know they took me." Deveney spent $80 on the product that
she bought from the sales representative. "I have found better products at the grocery store for less money -- far less money,"
Devaney said. The district attorney's office said T&B failed to get
required city licenses to sell door to door. Residents who bought the products are encouraged to call the district's attorney's
office at 913-715-3003.
KMBC-TV
http://www.kmbc.com
Kansas City, Missouri Read This Story
'MPA' Drops 'Magazine' From Name
October 3, 2010 'MPA' Drops 'Magazine' From Name
Oct 3, 2010
-By Lucia Moses
MEDIAWEEK
With a name change, Magazine Publishers of America is formally recognizing
that its consumer magazine members are no longer just ink on paper, and
some industry stakeholders are asking: What took so long?
Magazines now distribute content on various platforms, and many now make meaningful revenue outside the printed periodical.
“Publishers have been developing Web sites and mobile sites and iPad
apps. But yet the MPA still represents magazines,” said Robin Steinberg, svp, director of print investment and activation,
MediaVest. “It’s a disconnect.”
The MPA is chucking “magazine” from its name to reflect the increasingly multiplatform nature of its members.
Going forward, the 91-year-old trade association will go by just its
initials, as it’s informally known. It’s also adopting a new logo and tagline, the Association of Magazine
Media.
Steinberg and others hope the changes are more than just cosmetic. They’d like to see the MPA push out data that
represent the breadth of magazines’ touchpoints, not just ad pages, which
the MPA tracks through its Publishers Information Bureau service. “Their research needs to be upgraded to understand
the new-media experience,” Steinberg said.
The MPA, along with other industry associations, has faced questions about its relevancy. Recent revelations about the salary of
chairman Nina Link caused growsing, while the recession caused some
members to exit, including Elle publisher Hachette Filipacchi Media, Rolling Stone parent Wenner Media, Star publisher
American Media Inc. and New York magazine parent New York Media (all but
Hachette have since rejoined).
Attendance at this year’s American Magazine Conference in Chicago this week is expected to be around 400, off 10
percent from ’08. (The MPA canceled the event last year because of the
recession and substituted a one-day program in New York.)
While big publishing companies like Time Inc., Meredith and Hearst Magazines are sending large contingents (Time Inc. will be
particularly visible, given that its new CEO Jack Griffin is also the
MPA’s incoming chairman), other industry leaders including Reader’s Digest Association’s Mary
Berner, American Media Inc.’s David Pecker, Wenner’s Jann Wenner and Time
Inc.’s Ann Moore won’t be there. (Moore will be at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women summit in
Washinghton, D.C., which is happening at the same time, a Time Inc. rep said.)
The name change itself was complicated by internal debate among the MPA’s board members, some of whom
wondered what the point was, given that the organization is already known as the MPA.
Another view held that there was value in the word magazine itself.
Bryan Welch, publisher and editorial director of Ogden Publications (Mother Earth News and Utne Reader), said a magazine
can come in many forms and need not imply a printed publication.
“I don’t see any point in liquidating that asset,” Welch said. “How we describe our business
everyday will be the final word in what it means to be a magazine publisher. What
I'm advocating is defining magazines as a multimedia platform for branded content.”
-By Lucia Moses
MEDIAWEEK
http://www.mediaweek.com Read This Story
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix weighs reins on door-to-door sales October 2, 2010 Phoenix weighs reins on door-to-door sales
by Cathryn Creno - Oct. 2, 2010 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic
Representatives for major direct selling companies like Avon say that if
Phoenix slaps licensing requirements on door to door peddlers, the move
could force thousands of self-employed workers who sell their products out of business.
National representatives from New York-based Avon Products Inc. and Washington D.C.- based Direct Selling Association, a
trade group that said it represents large companies such as Tupperware Inc.,
were in Phoenix this week to voice opposition to possible regulation by the city.
"Many people in direct sales earn less than $200 a month and spend less than 5 hours working per week," said Amy Robinson,
vice president for communications for the direct selling trade group.
"Even a $50 registration requirement could be very detrimental to someone only making $50 a month."
Most large Valley cities have laws on the books that require peddlers to get licenses or permits. They charge fees for the licenses
ranging from $50 to $100. Most cities enforce the laws on a
complaint- only basis, however.
The national organizations voiced concerns that if Phoenix begins a wholesale crackdown on everyone going door to door -
including at-home moms who ring doorbells to sell cosmetics or cookware to
neighbors - it could put many of their smaller sellers out of business. Phoenix officials have been talking about regulating peddlers
since May but have yet to draft an ordinance.
On Wednesday, the national groups were joined by the president-elect of the Phoenix Association of Realtors, staff from the
local Better Business Bureau and other groups at a meeting of the City
Council's solicitation ordinance working group. The group is composed of representatives from each City Council district as well
as City Councilmen Claude Mattox and Tom Simplot.
Robinson told the group that licensing requirements would likely be ignored by "the bad actors" and harm Phoenix residents
running legitimate small businesses who follow the rules and purchase
licenses.
"We absolutely agree that the bad actors need to be taken off the streets," Robinson said.
"But we think an educational campaign would work better than regulations that the bad actors likely would ignore anyway."
Josephine Mills, Avon's executive director for global government affairs, was among those at the meeting who said Phoenix
could better solve the problem by enforcing its trespassing ordinance and
educating residents about how to deal with unwanted people on their doorsteps.
"If you take the existing laws and enforce them, you can get more benefit for less cost," she said.
Phoenix resident Elayne Stamos did not attend Wednesday's meeting but described an example of her neighborhood's problem
with peddlers earlier this week. She said one solicitor recently came to her
door and offered to repair her car window. Several hours after she told him her window was not broken and she didn't need his
services, Stamos said she heard a thud, her car alarm went off and she
discovered that her window was then indeed broken.
"Can I prove he or whoever he works for did it? No. Is it suspicious? Yes," she said. "Gone are the days of feeling safe letting
the Fuller Brush man or the Avon lady drop in."
Stamos thinks Phoenix should outlaw door-to-door sales entirely.
About 230 Phoenix residents have complained to the city about similar problems.
Russ Pomerantz, president of the North Central Phoenix Homeowners Association, also did not attend Wednesday meeting but
said in an interview that he believes many more than 200 people want the city
to regulate peddlers.
He described a Sept. 18 incident in which a rejected magazine salesman stood on his porch and swore at him until Pomerantz
snapped a photo of the peddler and called the police.
by Cathryn Creno
The Arizona Republic
http://www.azcentral.com
Phoenix, Arizona Read This
Story
Kansas City, Missouri
Door-to-door sales effort leads to warning from JoCo prosecutor DMPG
Info: Door-to-Door Cleaner Sales Company:
T&B Sales, Inc.
Cleaner Sales Clearinghouse:
Austin Diversified Products, Inc.
Website: http://www.advanage.com Google Search: Austin Diversified
Products
end DMPG Info October 1, 2010 Door-to-door sales effort leads to warning from JoCo prosecutor
Jim Sullinger, jsullinger@kcstar.com
Kansas City Star
Posted on Fri, Oct. 01, 2010 05:12 PM
The Johnson County District Attorney’s office is warning consumers
about door-to-door sales people selling cleaning products. Stephen M. Howe
said that during the last week, individuals from T&B Sales, Inc., of Georgia have been ignoring “No
Solicitors” signs and approaching citizens with aggressive and intimidating sales
pitches. That has prompted a number of complaints to local law enforcement from Johnson County residents. The company also
has failed to obtain the required licenses through the cities to conduct
door to door sales. Howe wants to remind residents that transient sales people may have to obtain a license in the city where
they solicit, as well as provide consumers with the proper legal three
day right to cancel. Residents should use caution when engaging in transactions with door to door sales people. If you or anyone
you know has recently purchased any cleaning supplies from transient
companies within the metro area, please contact your local law enforcement agency and the Johnson County District
Attorney’s Consumer Hotline at 913-715-3003.
Jim Sullinger, jsullinger@kcstar.com
Posted on Fri, Oct. 01, 2010 05:12 PM
Jim Sullinger, jsullinger@kcstar.com
Kansas City Star
http://www.kansascity.com
Kansas City, Missouri Read This
Story
Phoenix, Arizona
Avon, others against peddler-license plan September 30, 2010 Ahwatukee
Avon, others against peddler-license plan
by Cathryn Creno - Sept. 30, 2010 01:01 PM
The Arizona Republic
If Phoenix slaps licensing requirements on door-to-door peddlers, the move
could hurt thousands of self-employed workers who sell products from
Avon, Tupperware and similar companies.
That's the view of New York-based Avon Products Inc. and the Washington D.C.- based Direct Selling Association, a trade
group that says it represents Mary Kay Inc., Tupperware Inc. and similar large
companies that rely on independent contracts who sell door to door.
National representatives from the organizations were in Phoenix this week to voice opposition to possible regulation by the
city.
"Many people in direct sales earn less than $200 a month and spend less than 5 hours working per week," said Amy Robinson,
vice president for communications for the direct selling trade group.
"Even a $50 registration requirement could be very detrimental to someone only making $50 a month."
On Wednesday she and the Avon representatives were joined by the president-elect of the Phoenix Association of Realtors and
staff from the local Better Business Bureau, at a meeting of the Phoenix
City Council's solicitation ordinance working group.
The group, comprised of representatives from each of Phoenix's City Council districts as well as City Council members Claude
Mattox and Tom Simplot, has met since May to discuss ways to curb what
police and some residents view as threatening behavior by door to door solicitors.
One idea is to conduct background checks and issue city licenses to peddlers. Most other large Valley cities have laws requiring
that peddlers to undergo background checks and obtain licenses,
although the ordinances typically are only enforced if there are complaints.
Robinson, however, told the group that licensing requirements would likely be ignored by "the bad actors" and harm Phoenix
residents running legitimate small businesses.
"We absolutely agree that the bad actors need to be taken off the streets," she said. "But we think an educational campaign
would work better than regulations that the bad actors likely would ignore
anyway.
Josephine Mills, Avon's executive director for global government affairs, was among those at the meeting who said Phoenix
could better solve the problem by enforcing its trespassing ordinance and
educating residents about how to deal with unwanted people on their doorsteps.
"If you take the existing laws and enforce them you can get more benefit for less cost," she said.
Phoenix resident Elayne Stamos did not attend Wednesday's meeting but described an example of her neighborhood's problem
with peddlers earlier this week. She said one solicitor recently came to her
door and offered to repair her car window. Several hours after she told him her window was not broken and she didn't need his
services, Stamos said she heard a thud, her car alarm went off and she
discovered that her window was then indeed broken.
"Can I prove he or whoever he works for did it? No. Is it suspicious? Yes," she said.
"Gone are the days of feeling safe letting the Fuller Brush Man or the Avon Lady drop in. Even Girl Scouts don't go door to door
anymore. They have found safer means of selling their products."
Stamos thinks Phoenix should outlaw door to door sales entirely.
About 230 Phoenix residents have complained to the city in recent months about similar problems with solicitors.
Russ Pomerantz, president of the North Central Phoenix Homeowners Association, also did not attend Wednesday meeting but
said in an interview that he believes many more than 200 people want the city
to regulate peddlers.
He described a Sept. 18 incident in which a rejected magazine salesman stood on his porch and swore at him until Pomerantz
snapped a photo of the peddler and called the police.
"There shouldn't be a requirement that a majority of residents need to be threatened for an ordinance to be enacted," he said.
"Even the police department encourages residents not to open their doors
to solicitors for the residents' own safety."
Dean Heyl, the director of government relations for the direct selling association, called magazine sales representatives like the
one Pomerantz encountered "the bane of our existence." "Rogue groups
like this come in like a swarm of locusts and then leave" the community, he said. "They would not be allowed to join our group
because they could not pass our code of ethics."
Susan Ramsey, president elect of the Phoenix Association of Realtors, said at that meeting that outlawing door to door sales - or
requiring expensive licenses -- would harm people in her line of
work.
"I got started going door to door and introducing myself to neighbors," she said. "I also find door knocking affecting when I am
doing an open house. I let people in the neighborhood know I am
there."
Erin Harshfield, of the Better Business Bureau, meanwhile, said her organization rates direct sales organizations and provides the
information free to the public on its website, www.bbb.org . She
said the BBB supports consumer education, not government regulation.
"We believe in self-regulation - we want consumers to know how to determine whether a business is trustworthy," she
said.
by Cathryn Creno - Sept. 30, 2010 01:01 PM
The Arizona Republic
http://www.azcentral.com
Phoenix, Arizona Read This Story
Omaha, Nebraska
Magazine Salesman To Stand Trial September 28, 2010 Magazine Salesman To Stand Trial
Ronald Kemp Accused Of Molesting Girl, 13
KETV 7 ABC
POSTED: 12:26 pm CDT September 28, 2010
UPDATED: 12:35 pm CDT September 28, 2010
OMAHA, Neb. -- A traveling magazine salesman will stand trial on a charge
of third-degree sexual assault of a minor. Omaha police said Ronald Kemp,
44, of Atlanta, is accused of molesting a 13-year-old girl in the drive-through lane of an abandoned fast food restaurant. Kemp
waived his right to a preliminary hearing and his case was bound over
to Douglas County District Court on Tuesday. Kemp remains in custody under a $100,000 bond.
KETV 7 ABC
http://www.ketv.com
Omaha, Nebraska Read This Story
Elmhurst, Illinois
Woman stiffed by magazine salesman DMPG Info: Door-to-Door Magazine Sales
Company:
Hand Up Distributions
end DMPG Info September 28, 2010 Woman stiffed by magazine salesman
By David Matthews, dmatthews@mysuburbanlife.com
Posted Sep 28, 2010 @ 12:48 PM
Elmhurst Police Blotter
Elmhurst Press
A local woman told police that a door-to-door salesman sold her $591
worth of subscriptions to magazines that were never delivered. The theft by
deception was reported at 5:39 p.m. Sept. 22 on the 400 block of Emery Lane, police said. According to the report, the woman
bought multi-year subscriptions to four magazines from the suspect on May
23. The victim wrote a $591 check to Sacramento-based Hand Up Distributions that has since been cashed. Police were unable
to contact Hand Up Distributions, according to the report.
By David Matthews, dmatthews@mysuburbanlife.com
Elmhurst Police Blotter
Elmhurst Press
Downers Grove, Illinois Read This
Story
Bettendorf, Iowa
Police searching for man targeting elderly in scam September 28, 2010 Police searching for man targeting elderly in
scam
Brian Boesen Reporter
WQAD-TV
wqad.com
7:32 PM CDT, September 28, 2010
BETTENDORF, Iowa - Bettendorf police are searching for a man they say
is scamming residents and the elderly, by going door-to-door selling fake
magazine subscriptions.
"Greed. That's what it all comes down to is greed," said Chuck Skipper, a Bettendorf resident.
Police say Scott Allison sold residents at a Bettendorf senior living facility phony magazine subscriptions to be sent to a children's
hospital. He told his victims that the money from the sales were
to fund his attendance at a school in London.
"We have more than one victim in the same assisted living facility. We don't know at this time if there are other victims out there,"
said Det. Jeff Buckles, Bettendorf police.
Police won't say which facility was hit but say the 32-year old may be involved in another door-to-door scam in a residential
neighborhood.
At Bettendorf's Luther Manor, residents say it didn't happen there but they're not surprised that seniors are among the
targets.
"There's a lot of senior citizens who do get caught in scams and lose a little money. And they don't care if it's seniors, if it's their
mother or father, they'll take advantage of them," said
Skipper.
Det. Buckles says this isn't the first time Scott Allison has fooled people for money. He was arrested August 24th for scamming
unsuspecting residents the same way in another city.
"We've had the subject indicating that he was a grandson of one of the other residents in this assisted living facility. We also had
the ruse that they were selling magazines to support their
baseball team," said Det. Buckles.
Buckles says Allison doesn't live in Bettendorf and could still be ripping people off. He says there are a few simple ways to avoid
becoming a victim of these door-to-door scams.
"Don't be afraid to ask for credentials. If you're approached by subjects and you second-guess whether they're legitimate or a
credible business, there's no harm in turning them away," said Det.
Buckles.
If you have been a victim of this scam or encountered Scott Allison, you are asked to call Bettendorf police at 563-344-
4039.
Brian Boesen Reporter
WQAD-TV
wqad.com
http://www.wqad.com
Moline, Illinois Read This Story
Lewiston, Idaho
Pushy sales prompt arrests September 27, 2010 Pushy sales prompt arrests
Posted on 27 September 2010 by brad
Tribune Blogs
Lewiston Tribune Online
Police have arrested a pair of door-to-door salesmen whose alleged pushy
tactics prompted numerous complaints over the weekend. The salesmen, both
from Naples, Fla., were part of an out-of-town group selling magazines through the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley this week, said
Lewiston Police Sgt. Glen Rogers. Rogers said the men were told late last
week to get a city business license, but were booked into the jail when resident complaints continued and the men failed to get
that license from the city. One arrest was made Friday and the other on
Saturday. Residents have reported salespeople using tactics including allegedly pushing themselves into houses on a few
occasions, Rogers said. “If citizens have people conducting door to door
sales, they’re encouraged to ask to see their business license,” Rogers said. “They do not have to allow
these people into their home.” This weekend was the first time Rogers
could remember that police have arrested the salespeople, though he said one salesperson was ticketed last year for the same
violation. The men, one 26 years old and the other 40, were booked into
the Nez Perce County Jail on charges of sales without a business license, a misdemeanor. Rogers said police are asking anyone
who notices salespeople practicing without a license to call the Lewiston
Police Department at (208) 746-0171.
Tribune Blogs
Lewiston Tribune Online
http://www.lmtribune.com
Lewiston, Idaho Read This
Story
Walnut Creek, California
Park Regency Sexual Assault, Sheriff wants to talk to carpet-cleaning salesman
September 24, 2010 Park Regency Sexual Assault, Sheriff wants to talk to
carpet-cleaning salesman
CLAYCORD.com
September 24, 2010 15:39 pm
The Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office has released more information,
and a description of the person they’d like to talk with regarding the
latest sexual assault at the Park Regency Apartments on Oak Road in Walnut Creek.
A sexual assault occurred at the Park Regency apartments at the 3100 block of Oak Road in unincorporated Walnut Creek on
September 16, 2010. The incident is believed to have occurred at about 6 PM.
As a female resident entered her apartment, a suspect forced his way into her apartment. The victim, a 27 year old woman, was
sexually assaulted. The suspect fled on foot. The victim notified the
Sheriff’s Office about 40 minutes later. She was taken to the hospital. The suspect is described as a white male, 20-30
years of age, 6’0” with a full beard. He was wearing jeans, a
short sleeve shirt and a “hoodie” sweatshirt.
Detectives continue to follow up on leads in this case and have conducted numerous interviews. A number of interviewees at the
Park Regency complex and other nearby apartment complexes have described
a person who was going door-to-door soliciting carpet-cleaning services.
Detectives would like to talk to this person. The individual is described as a white male, 6’, medium build and with a full
beard. Anyone with any information on this person or who may have
used his carpet-cleaning services is asked to contact Sheriff’s Office Detectives at (925) 313-2620.
Citizens are reminded to always lock their doors and windows, not to open doors for strangers and call police if they see anyone
suspicious.
This complex has been the scene of numerous sexual/attempted assaults in the past few months. Just a few weeks ago, a Bay
Point man was arrested for the rape of one woman, and the attempted rape of
two others at the Park Regency Apartments. He is in custody, and authorities say DNA links him to the crimes.
This latest assault is not connected in any way to the other reported assaults, according to the Contra Costa County
Sheriff’s Office.
Walnut Creek, California
Investigators Want to Talk to Salesman in Connection With Fourth Park Regency Attack
September 24, 2010 Investigators Want to Talk to Salesman in Connection With
Fourth Park Regency Attack
Contra Costa Sheriff's detectives want to talk to him because he was seen in the area.
By Martha Ross
WalnutCreekPatch.com
September 24, 2010
Contra Costa Sheriff's detectives are asking for the public's help in locating a
man who was going door to door selling carpet-cleaning services as
they continue to investigate last week's rape of a woman in Walnut Creek's Park Regency complex.
More than a week after a fourth woman was assaulted in the Oak Road apartment complex, detectives are following leads and
conducting interviews in the case, said sheriff's spokesman Jimmy Lee.
A number of people said a man was going door to door in the 892-unit complex around the time of the Sept. 16 attack, selling
carpet-cleaning services. Sheriff's detectives would like to talk to him,
Lee said.
"It would immensely assist our investigation even if we can rule him out as a suspect," he added.
The 27-year-old victim in the most recent attack was the fourth young woman in less than three months to be assaulted in the
Oak Road complex, located in an unincorporated area of Walnut Creek just
off Interstate 680 and north of the Pleasant Hill BART station.
Detectives say this attack, on a Thursday evening about 6 p.m., is not related to three prior assaults between June 30 and Aug.
10.
This is because a Berkeley man has been charged with those assaults. He is in custody in Contra Costa County jail in Martinez.
Authorities say DNA evidence ties Antonio Andre Mouton to one of those
cases, the July 6 rape of a woman who was attacked after being awakened as she slept alone in her unlocked apartment.
In the other two cases, June 30 and August 10, a man forced his way into the women's apartments and accosted them, but they
frightened him off.
Mouton has pleaded not guilty to one count of forcible rape, two counts of attempted forcible rape and three counts of
residential burglary.
Mouton is African-American. Witnesses in the three prior cases describe their assailant as an African-American male. The
assailant in the Sept. 16 rape is described as a white male, 6 feet tall, with
a medium build and full beard. He was wearing jeans, a short-sleeve shirt and a hoodie sweatshirt.
In the most recent attack, Lee said the woman was opening the front door of her apartment and she felt someone behind her.
The man forced his way in and assaulted her. After attacking her, the man
ran off. The woman notified the Sheriff's Office about 40 minutes later and was taken to the hospital.
Citizens are reminded to lock their doors and windows, not to open doors for strangers and to call police if they see anyone
suspicious.
Anyone with information on this salesperson or who may have used his carpet-cleaning services is asked to contact Sheriff's
Office detectives at (925) 313-2620.
By Martha Ross
WalnutCreekPatch.com
http://walnutcreek.patch.com
Walnut Creek, California Read This Story
Aspen, Colorado
Slick salesmen knock on wrong doors DMPG Info: Door-to-Door Magazine
Sales Company:
SYN, Inc.
a.k.a. Social Youth Network
end DMPG Info September 21, 2010 Slick salesmen knock on wrong doors
by Brent Gardner-Smith, Aspen Daily News Staff Writer
Aspen Daily News
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
After smooth-talking young men knocked on the doors of two Pitkin County
sheriff’s deputies, the department issued a warning about a group of
“twenty-somethings” selling bogus magazine subscriptions in the valley.
The subscriptions were ostensibly for magazines to be sent to U.S. service personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan, but Brad Gibson,
an investigator with the sheriff’s office, thinks the operation is
a scam.
Gibson opened his door in Sopris Village in El Jebel Friday evening to find what he described as “two white guys,
college age.”
“They were very smooth,” Gibson said. “They had a great story about being up here from Denver, that
they were both in ROTC, and that the magazine subscriptions would benefit the
Wounded Warrior project.”
Gibson was sold and wrote a check for $63, which included four subscriptions and a $15 handling fee.
But then he Googled the company the men told him they worked for, SYN, Inc., and saw a variety of reports that the group was
scamming people with fraudulent magazine sales. The “SYN”
apparently stands for Social Youth Network, but no website with that name came up with a simple Google search.
“I gave them a check,” Gibson said. “But as soon as I found what their deal was, I stopped payment. It
feels very much like a scam to me.”
A Google news search also turned up an article in The (Ames) Tribune about five people being arrested in Ames, Iowa the last
week of August for soliciting magazines and other offers, such as care
packages for soldiers, without a proper permit. It’s a misdemeanor crime.
Gibson said if the young salesmen who came to his door were fraudulent, they didn’t shy away from his house, which
had a sheriff’s patrol car in the driveway.
The youth also knocked on the door of Tom Grady, the operations director for the Pitkin County sheriff’s office.
Grady’s patrol car also was in the driveway.
Gibson, being the investigator that he is, asked the two youths at his door for some identification. Only one of them produced a
driver’s license.
“They looked like college students,” Gibson said. “They had great banter, were really relaxed, and had
great stories. They were very smooth.”
He also said he didn’t think selling fraudulent magazine subscriptions was necessarily a crime, but he felt that local
citizens should be warned.
Gibson said he was initially sold because of his inclination to support U.S. troops.
“I love to support the ROTC and support the troops, but we have to look out for the people in the valley,” he
said.
bgs@aspendailynews.com
by Brent Gardner-Smith, Aspen Daily News Staff Writer
Aspen Daily News
http://www.aspendailynews.com
Aspen, Colorado Read This Story
Omaha, Nebraska
Man held in rape of Omaha girl, 13 September 17, 2010 Man held in rape of Omaha girl, 13
By Jason Kuiper
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
Omaha World-Herald
Published Friday September 17, 2010
A 44-year-old Georgia man will appear in court later this month in
connection with the sexual assault of a 13-year-old Omaha girl. Ronald E. Kemp
has been charged with first-degree sexual assault and ordered held at the Douglas County Jail on $100,000 bail. He must post
10 percent, or $10,000, to be released. The girl allegedly was assaulted
about 8 p.m. Sept. 1 behind a building near 108th and Emmet Streets that formerly housed a KFC restaurant. According to
court documents filed in the case:
The girl was riding her bike when a man at a bus stop yelled for her to come over.
The girl rode over, and the man asked for her cell-phone number. After entering the number into his cell phone, he hugged the girl
and started to kiss her. She refused his advances and asked what he
was doing.
He then asked her to walk with him. As they walked, he asked her to tell him the last time she had had sex. The two walked
behind the KFC building, and he started to kiss her. She protested, and he
assaulted her.
The two walked away, and she rode her bike home. At home, she saw a call on her cell phone from a number she didn't
recognize. She returned the call, recognized the man's voice and hung up.
The man had told the girl he was 28.
The girl and her mother reported the matter, and police interviewed them the next day. That night the girl got a text message from
the man, who said he was staying at a hotel near 109th and M Streets
and wanted to meet with her.
Kemp, who said he worked for a company selling magazine subscriptions, was arrested at the hotel on Sept. 5.
Contact the writer:
444-1279, jason.kuiper@owh.com
By Jason Kuiper
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
Omaha World-Herald
http://www.omaha.com
Omaha, Nebraska Read This Story
Allendale, New jersey
Allendale Police issue summonses to 10 magazine solicitors
DMPG Info:
Door-to-Door Magazine Sales Company:
HP Consulting
Magazine Clearinghouse:
Monitoring Services Network
aka: American Cash Awards
aka: Face to Face Technologies Inc
aka: Great Lakes Circulation, Inc
BBB:
Business Contact and Profile
Name: Monitoring Services Network
Phone: (888) 802-7128
Address: PO Box 1060
Kittredge, CO 80457-1060
Original Business Start Date: December 2009
Principal: Ms. Dona Franks
Customer Contact: Ms. Dona Franks - (888) 802-7128
Entity: Corporation
Incorporated: December 2009, MT
Type of Business: Magazines - Distributors
BBB Accreditation: This company is not a BBB Accredited business.
Below is a list of companies that Monitoring Services Network handles processing for:
D2D Consulting
Frontline Communications
HP Consulting
MD Networks
Preferred Consulting Services
Prime Time Consulting
Revista
Youth Incentive Marketing
Monitoring Services Network no longer handles processing for:
Dynasty Technologies, Inc
Face Off, Inc.
Global Marketing
Miami Dream Team
No Limit Sales
SYN, Inc
Unique Subscription Agency Inc.
end DMPG Info
September 16, 2010
Allendale Police issue summonses to 10 magazine solicitors
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Last updated: Thursday September 16, 2010, 1:23 AM
BY MATT JACKSON
Town Journal
OF TOWN JOURNAL
northjersey.com
Ten people working for a Colorado company were issued borough summonses Sept. 7 for allegedly soliciting magazines without
a permit on Schuyler Road in Allendale, Det. John Mattiace said.
Around 3:40 p.m., several Schuyler Road residents called police saying people were showing up at their door trying to sell
magazines, Mattiace said. Sgt. Al McCarthy, who is serving as officer in charge of the department, and Police Officer Scott
Kuenzel came to Schuyler and found a 21-year-old male from Centerville, Mass., who was allegedly soliciting and, in speaking
to him, determined he was doing so without a permit. As he was searching the suspect prior to putting him in the police car,
McCarthy allegedly found marijuana on him, placed him under arrest and issued him an additional borough summons for
possession of marijuana, McCarthy and Mattiace said.
McCarthy, Kuenzel and Police Officer William Kroepke later located nine other people on Schuyler Road who were allegedly
soliciting magazines without a permit and transported them to the Allendale Police Department, Mattiace said.
The nine people were a 20-year-old male from North Carolina, a 27-year-old male from California, a 20-year-old male from
New York, a 20-year-old male from Ohio, a 17-year-old male from Utah, a 20-year-old male from New Hampshire, a 19-
year-old female from Missouri, a 19-year-old female from Massachusetts and a 19-year-old male from Wisconsin, Mattiace
said. Mattiace preferred not to give the names of the people, who police believe had just started their alleged soliciting in the
borough before authorities intervened.
The 10 people, who all work for Idledale, Colo.-based HP Consulting, were given an Oct. 19 court date in Allendale Municipal
Court, Mattiace said. Under borough regulations, a solicitor must register with the police chief and pay a $5 registration fee.
E-mail: jacksonm@northjersey.com
BY MATT JACKSON
Town Journal
OF TOWN JOURNAL
northjersey.com
http://www.northjersey.com
New jersey Rea
d This Story
Omaha, Nebraska
Magazine Peddler Accused In Sex Assault September 16, 2010 Magazine Peddler Accused In Sex Assault
RESPECT Program Helps Prepare Kids To Fight Back
KETV
POSTED: 6:20 pm CDT September 16, 2010
UPDATED: 9:49 pm CDT September 16, 2010
OMAHA, Neb. -- Omaha police said a traveling magazine salesman has
been arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl.
Ronald Kemp, 44, of Atlanta, was taken into custody after a report from the accuser’s mother.
Police said the assault happened in the drive-through lane of an abandoned fast food restaurant. Officers said the girl told them
she rode her bike to a convenience store across the street and Kemp
began talking with her and asking questions about sex.
According to court documents, the girl agreed to walk with Kemp to the abandoned KFC restaurant across the street. The
papers said Kemp started kissing the girl on her neck and shoulder, and after
she told him to stop, he had sexual intercourse with her.
“We are continuing to investigate the allegations of there being physical force,” said Omaha police Officer Jacob
Bettin.
Court documents said that after the alleged attack, the girl and the man walked back across the street and then she rode home
on her bicycle.
“We don’t believe the suspect was out luring multiple children or even talking to other females,” Bettin
said.
According the court records, Kemp sent the girl a text message the next night, asking her to meet him at the Carlisle Hotel,
where he was staying. Police said they searched the room and seized his
clothes and cell phone.
Kemp was being held in lieu of $100,000 bond and has another court date scheduled later in the month.
Bettin said parents should use the case to remind their children not to go to places alone and to stay in well-lighted areas,
especially because darkness comes earlier in the evening during the
fall.
Program Helps Kids Fight Back
A program in the Omaha area is teaching children to fight back when they find themselves in compromising situations.
"We practice healthy skills they can use," said RESPECT Executive Director Patricia Newman.
About 50 parents came to Bellevue Elementary School for a role-playing session with RESPECT, which teaches the life lessons
through theater.
"It helps them understand what their own personal boundaries are. Physical boundaries, as well as their emotional boundaries,"
Newman said.
The program targeting bullying, but RESPECT staff members teach students, parents and teachers about everything from
friendship how to stop and think before acting. The program begins with preschool
children and teaches about dating issues as early as fourth grade.
"They're getting a lot of that, 'It's cool to have a date, it's cool to have a girlfriend,' regardless of what it means for them,"
Newman said. "It can put them in situations that developmentally,
they're not really ready for."
Older groups also cover issues like body image and drug and alcohol abuse.
"When we come to schools, we really use theater techniques and get them up on stage, do some role playing, very specific work
in teaching them healthy relationships and setting boundaries," said
RESPECT education Nick Zadina.
Teachers said the best thing people can do is talk to children about boundaries, admit that it can be awkward and role play with
them, like when a date tries to hold hands.
"If it's not OK, how do you feel comfortable telling them that?" Newman said.
The building blocks from the lessons can help as children grow up and run into more grown-up problems.
"It takes a village, it takes a community," Newman said. "You can never have too many people interacting with children and
talking with them about important things."
Facilitators said families leave the RESPECT sessions more engaged as they leave, and hopefully feel more connected.
"I really love the work and it's very important work to be doing," Zadina said.
In the past 10 years, RESPECT has worked with 250,000 children across the Midwest.
Temple, Georgia
September 15, 2010 Ripoff Report:
Report: #641002
Report: Southwestern company
Reported By: Miranda (Temple Georgia U.S.A.)
Southwestern company Shady company that uses college students to rip you off. Nashville, Tennessee ...
Southwestern company
2451 Atrium Way
Nashville Tennessee 37214
United States of America
Phone: 866-463-2010
Web Address: www.southwesternathome.com
Category: Door to door sales people
Submitted: Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Posted: Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Youngstown, Ohio
Youngstown Regulates Door-to-Door Vendors September 10, 2010 Youngstown Regulates Door-to-Door
Vendors
WKBN/WYFX
Last Update: 6:37 am
September 10, 2010
Soon people driving into Youngstown will see signs warning anyone looking
to peddle their goods to first register with the city. "There's been a
sharp increase in activities in the neighborhoods by people who are doing illegal things, knocking on doors soliciting money," said
7th Ward Councilman John Swierz. Swierz helped author two new city
ordinances that regulate peddlers, door-to-door solicitors, and itinerant vendors. "Well we know that there are legitimate
businesses operating out there," he said. "They will have to operate a
little differently now because they're going to need to get a license to operate in those neighborhoods." Those businesses must
apply for a license, which all employees must physically carry with
them, pay a fee to the city of $150 per year, and follow all commercial and residential zoning laws. Police Chief Jimmy Hughes
said if they fail to do so, they could face misdemeanor charges. "There
are individuals who won't be issued licenses," Hughes said. We will do a background check for those licenses. Upon completion,
we will issue the license. "The law does not apply to political
campaigns or those selling items for charity. Groups like the Girl Scouts and school children can still go door to door. "The
peddlers are defined as people who are doing it for money, for commercial
purposes," said Anthony Farris, deputy law director. And they must conduct business between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Later than 5
p.m. would violate the ordinance. "We're not prohibiting anybody from doing
business," Swierz said. "We're just saying we're regulating and licensing you and how you operate in the city of
Youngstown."
WKBN/WYFX
http://www.wkbn.com
Youngstown, Ohio Read This Story
DeKalb, Illinois
Traveling salesman pleads not guilty to rape charges September 9, 2010 Traveling salesman pleads not
guilty to rape charges
By DANA HERRA - dherra@daily-chronicle.com
Daily Chronicle
Created: Thursday, September 9, 2010 6:25 p.m. CDT
SYCAMORE – A traveling salesman charged with raping a woman
in her Sycamore home pleaded not guilty to all charges Thursday. Patrick M.
Schneider, 21, of the 500 block of Northland Drive in Cameron, Mo., was arraigned on charges of home invasion and criminal
sexual assault. He is being held in jail on a $300,000 bond. Schneider was
one of a group of about 10 people selling magazine subscriptions door to door in May. Police said he forced his way into a
home in the 900 block of East State Street about 2 p.m. on a Saturday
afternoon after the resident, a woman home alone, declined his sales pitch. Once inside the home, he sexually assaulted the
woman, police said, then left. The woman called police, and Schneider was
arrested later that afternoon selling magazines near Kirkland. Schneider did not speak during his arraignment. His attorney
entered pleas of not guilty to both charges, and a new court date was set
for Oct. 13. Criminal sexual assault is a Class 1 felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Home invasion is a Class X felony
punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
By DANA HERRA - dherra@daily-chronicle.com
Daily Chronicle
http://www.daily-chronicle.com
DeKalb, Illinois Read This Story
BANTAM — A Texas man charged with sexually assaulting a 16-year-old
girl in Winsted was back in Bantam Superior Court for an appearance, based on a sexual assault that occurred in May.
Jesse L. Estep, 24, of 1685 Settlers Way, Seguin, Texas, appeared in court on Wednesday and had his case continued to
Friday, also in Bantam.
Estep is charged with third-degree assault, second-degree unlawful restraint, disorderly conduct and peddling without a permit.
Police said Estep was illegally selling magazines with a group of people on Thursday who claimed to work for Freedom Sales
Company or Sunshine Subscription Agency.
Around 3:30 p.m. on May 6, Estep then allegedly forced himself on a 16-year-old girl in the area of Rockwell Street. The girl
complained to police and Estep was arrested.
On Friday, May 7, Judge Corinne L. Klatt issued a no-contact order against Estep, precluding him from having any contact with
the girl.
The order and the police warrant detailing the incident remains sealed.
Estep’s bond was set at $50,000. His case was originally transferred to Litchfield Superior Court for a May 21 appearance. The
case will be heard again in Bantam on Friday.
Mike Agogliati can be reached by e-mail at magogliati@registercitizen.com. Follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/registercitizen.
By MIKE AGOGLIATI
http://www.registercitizen.com
Bantam, Connecticut Read This
Story
Jefferson City, Missouri
Possible scam in Jefferson City September 8, 2010 Possible scam in Jefferson
City
by Daniel Winn
KRCG-TV
Posted: 09.08.2010 at 10:14 PM
JEFFERSON CITY, MO. -- A Jefferson City woman almost got ripped off
by a scam. She was approached by a teenage boy selling magazines. The boy told
her it was to help the Jefferson City Jays baseball team go to Hawaii. School spokesman David Luther says the woman was
smart and called the school to verify the boys story, "She stopped the check,
no harm no fowl, however we have somebody that is working around saying that he's representing Jefferson City High School
and he is not." It happened in the Georgetown subdivision on Jefferson City's
West side. The school district says it isn't uncommon for a student to be going door to door fund raising, but for a trip to Hawaii
is just not true. Doug Ommen, with the Missouri Attorney Generals
Office says people need to be careful "There are magazine subscription companies that will hire college age students to go out
and sell those magazines, sometimes those sales involve
misrepresentations and fraud." The experts suggest asking detailed questions like “where the money is going?”,
“what school the student goes to?”, you can even ask to see
literature with the school's name on it. Most legitimate fund raisers don't make you pay up front for the products. A big warning
sign is the "cash only" sales pitch. One easy way is to be safe is to
give to children you already already know.
by Daniel Winn
KRCG-TV
New Bloomfield, Missouri
http://www.connectmidmissouri.com Read This
Story
Lincoln County, Oregon
Another wolf at the door... DMPG Info: Door-to-Door Magazine Sales
Company/Clearinghouse:
Atlantic Circulation, Inc.
Website: http://www.atlanticcirculation.com Google Search: Atlantic Circulation Google Search
This Site For: Atlantic Circulation BBB:
Business Contact and Profile
Name: Atlantic Circulation, Inc.
Phone: (717) 755-3480
Address: 2550 Kingston Road, York, PA 17402
Business Category: Magazines Sold Door-to-Door, Publishers-Directory ∓mp; Guide
eMail: customerservice@atlanticcirculation.com
BBB file opened: March 06, 2000
Business started: September 1998
Primary Contact: Mr. Daniel W. Shoemaker, III (President)
Complaint Contact: Ms. April Hartman (Office Manager)
Alternate Business Names
Atlantic Circulation
Products and Services
This company offers data processing of subscriptions for direct sales companies.
Additional Locations and Phone Numbers
2 College Avenue, P.o. Box 448, Mountville, PA 17554
(570) 285-4504
end DMPG Info September 7, 2010 Another wolf at the door...
Sep 07 2010.
ATTORNEY GENERALS SCAM ALERT
A Consumer Protection Alert from Oregon Attorney General John Kroger
BUYER BEWARE: DOOR TO-DOOR MAGAZINE SALES
Provided by AG John Kroger
News Lincoln County
Attorney General John Kroger warns Oregonians to be on the lookout for
unscrupulous door-to-door magazine peddlers. Door-to-door magazine companies
are a perennial source of frustration for Oregon consumers, generating more than 150 complaints in the past year alone.
Employees of travelling sales crews - mostly young adults - sell magazines and
other products door-to-door using a variety of misleading sales pitches in order to obtain orders. Most recently the Oregon
Department of Justice has seen influx of complaints about Atlantic
Circulation, Inc., a magazine distribution company. The sales crews employed by Atlantic Circulation have allegedly tried to
boost sales by suggesting the magazine subscriptions will benefit a
charity. In fact, many consumers who purchased subscriptions from the company never received their orders and there was no
charitable donation. Travelling sales crews don't just raise consumer
protection concerns, the crewmembers themselves are sometimes victims of scam and physical abuse. While these smooth-
talking hucksters may pepper you with stories about raising funds for college,
athletics, troops abroad, church or a local charity, many are employed by for-profit operations that take advantage of vulnerable
youth and homeless teens. Don't be fooled. There are legitimate
organizations that conduct fundraising or sell products door-to-door. Nevertheless, Oregonians should proceed with caution
when contemplating transactions at the door.
Here are some things you can do to avoid being bamboozled:
If you're not expecting someone, don't answer the door.
If you answer the door, don't open it wide and NEVER invite them in.
Don't feel pressured to buy on the spot; before you buy anything, check whether the business is registered to solicit door-to-
door with the city you live in.
Ask for materials in writing before purchasing the product.
If you feel threatened, call the police.
If you gave a check and want to cancel your order, cancel the check first, then call to cancel the subscription.
If you gave a credit card number and are concerned it will now be misused, call your credit card company and cancel the card.
You may also need to monitor the charges that appear on your account for
a while. Oregon has a "cooling off rule" allowing consumers three days to cancel purchases over $25 that are made at your
home. Under the Cooling-Off Rule, the salesperson must:
Tell you about your cancellation rights at the time of sale.
Give you two copies of a cancellation form (one to keep and one to send).
Give you a copy of your contract or receipt.
Anyone who believes they have been approached by a scammer should call the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer
Hotline at 1-877-877-9392 or go to the Department's Web site:
www.oregonattorneygeneral.gov. Attorney General John Kroger recently unveiled a new feature on called Be InfORmed, which
allows consumers to look up complaints about businesses on-line:
www.oregonattorneygeneral.gov/beinformed.
Attorney General Kroger leads the Oregon Department of Justice. The Department's mission is to fight crime and fraud, protect
the environment, improve child welfare, promote a positive business
climate and defend the rights of all Oregonians.
Provided by AG John Kroger
News Lincoln County
http://newslincolncounty.com
Lincoln County, Oregon Read This Story
Georgia
Solicitation scams September 7, 2010 Solicitation scams
Published on September 7, 2010 by The Sentinel
Official Student Newspaper of Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw State would like to warn the community of a yearly scam.
About this same time each year for the past five years, there has been a group of young people who appear to be college
students claiming they are selling magazines and books for the KSU
Communication department. Sometimes they even specify for COMM1109 or Public Speaking classes. They seek checks and
cash, but no magazines ever arrive. The books also sometimes say they support
Shriner’s kids. The Communication department received three calls just yesterday about this, and every fall they receive
complaints asking where the magazines are. Last year UP and KP were hit
pretty hard, and based on estimates from last year, KSU students lost over $1400 as a result of these scams. The calls this year
came from businesses in the Dallas Hwy area and from off-campus
apartment complexes.
You are strongly encouraged not to give money to anyone selling magazine subscriptions door-to-door.
The Sentinel
Official Student Newspaper of Kennesaw State University
http://ksusentinel.com
Georgia Read This Story
Atlanta, Georgia
Mom Worried Door-To-Door Sellers Will Affect Fundraising DMPG Info:
Door-to-Door Magazine Sales Company Clearinghouse:
American National Inc.
Website: http://www.animagazines.com
Mission Statement: http://duetcustomdesigns.com/americannationalinc-site/flippingBook/mission-set.html
BBB Rating: F BBB Report: American National Inc.
DMPG: Note former address of American National: Same address as American Community Services:
Business Contact and Profile
Name: American National, Inc
Address: 8557 W. US Highway 20 W(Former)
Michigan City, IN 46360
File Open Date: February 2010
Type of Business: Magazines Sold Door-to-Door
BBB Accreditation: This company is not a BBB Accredited business.
North Carolina Secretary of State: http://www.secretary.state.nc.us/corporations/Corp.aspx?PitemId=7915328
Name Type
AMERICAN NATIONAL INC. LEGAL
Business Corporation Information
SOSID: 0826900
Status: CURRENT-ACTIVE
Effective Date: 2/8/2006
Dissolution Date:
Annual Report Due Date:
Citizenship: DOMESTIC
State of Inc.: NC
Duration: PERPETUAL
Registered Agent
Agent Name: COOPER, SAEED
Office Address: 7800 AIRPORT CENTER DR SUITE 401
GREENSBORO NC 27409
Mailing Address: 7800 AIRPORT CENTER DR SUITE 401
GREENSBORO NC 27409
Principal Office
Office Address: 7800 AIRPORT CENTER DR SUITE 401
GREENSBORO NC 27409
Mailing Address: 7800 AIRPORT CENTER DR SUITE 401
GREENSBORO NC 27409
Officers
Title: PRESIDENT
Name: ABDUL COOPER
Business Address: 7800 AIRPORT CENTER DR SUITE 401
GREENSBORO NC 27409
Title: VICE PRESIDENT
Name: SAEED COOPER
Business Address: 7800 AIRPORT CENTER DR SUITE 401 GREESBORO N NC 27409 Google Search: American National Inc Google Search
This Site For: American National
end DMPG Info September 2, 2010 Mom Worried Door-To-Door Sellers Will Affect Fundraising
DeKalb Woman Concerned People's Experiences Will Stop Spending
By Katie Brace, CBS Atlanta Reporter
CBS Atlanta
POSTED: 9:23 pm EDT September 2, 2010
UPDATED: 8:22 am EDT September 3, 2010
DECATUR, Ga. -- Like most moms, Patti Hill always thinks of her son. The
thought someone could use that love against her makes her mad.
In March, a young woman knocked on the door selling magazines. The woman noticed Hill's son and mentioned she was selling
magazines to put herself through college.
Hill said she didn't really have the money. But, she wrote a check for $39 to buy a magazine subscription for her son, who's in
elementary school.
Hill said, "Months later, I was like 'I never received any magazines.'"
As of Sept. 2, she said she had not received any magazines. She said numerous time she called the company on the receipt,
American National.
Hill said, "I started calling the customer number on the receipt, but never got an answer."
Fred Elsberry, president of of the Better Business Bureau of Metro Atlanta, said, "These are the times that they are mostly out
there."
Elsberry said phony magazine subscription companies use young men and women to get your money.
Elsberry said American National has an F rating with them.
Patti Hill tried to contact the North Carolina company, but never got her problem solved.
She and her son are about to knock on doors for a Cub Scouts fundraiser.
Hill said, "Now I am somewhat concerned people will turn us away."
American Nationals' President Abdul Cooper responded to calls from CBS Atlanta.
Cooper said he was not aware of Hill's case.
He said he will offer her what he offers all customers who do not receive their magazine subscription: a refund and a free
magazine subscription.
By Katie Brace, CBS Atlanta Reporter
CBS Atlanta
http://www.cbsatlanta.com
Atlanta, Georgia Read This Story
Brandermill Community Association (BCA) officials are warning the
neighborhood’s residents of a sales scam that recently took place. During
July, a young man went door-to-door in the Harbour Pointe section of Brandermill saying he was selling magazines to raise
money to play in a soccer tournament. He claimed to be representing Marquis
Fulfillment Agency, LLC. At least three residents wrote him checks. Two of the three residents recently discovered that
counterfeit checks have been written against their checking accounts. The bogus
checks, with the residents’ addresses and account numbers, were cashed in Northern Virginia and Arizona. According
to BCA officials, police are investigating the scam, which may be spreading to
other parts of the county. Brandermill has a no-solicitation policy. Solicitors of charitable organizations must carry identification
and a permit signed by Community Manager Jane Pritz. If someone
solicits without the proper credentials, call the police.
Chesterfield Observer
http://www.chesterfieldobserver.com
Midlothian, Virginia Read This
Story
Montana
CONSUMER ALERT DMPG Info: Door-to-Door Cleaner Sales Company:
Austin Diversified Products, Inc.
Website: http://www.advanage.com Google Search: Austin Diversified
Products
end DMPG Info September 1, 2010 ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE BULLOCK
STATE OF MONTANA
FOR RELEASE: September 1, 2010
CONSUMER ALERT: Office of Consumer Protection Warns of High-Pressure Door-to-Door Sales in Communities Across
Montana
HELENA – Recent reports of high-pressure door-to-door
salespeople in Helena and other communities have prompted the Montana Office of Consumer
Protection to remind consumers of their rights under Montana law and tips to safeguard themselves from buying something they
don't want or need.
The salespeople, representing Austin Diversified Products, Inc., are attempting to sell household cleaning products. The Harvey,
IL based company has earned a C- rating from the Better Business
Bureau.
The Office of Consumer Protection said that Montanans should be wary of any company selling its products door-to-door,
especially if the sales agents are using high-pressure or deceptive tactics.
When homeowners are approached by door-to-door salespeople, they should:
Immediately ask for identification.
Find out if the company is licensed with the State of Montana. To do business in Montana, companies are required to file
paperwork with the Secretary of State.
Be wary of letting salespeople into your home.
Remember that few things are ever really "free."
Read the fine print.
Under Montana's Right to Cancel law, the seller must give the buyer written notice of the right to cancel any purchase from a
door-to-door salesman. A consumer has up to three days after the sale or
after receiving the written notice — whichever is later — to cancel any purchase that was sold by a door-to-door
salesman. The buyer must notify the seller that the purchase has been
cancelled and return any product that was purchased in its original condition.
Consumers with complaints or questions can contact the Office of Consumer Protection at (800) 481-6896 or (406) 444-
4500.
ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE BULLOCK
http://www.doj.mt.gov
STATE OF MONTANA Read This Story
Madison, Wisconsin
The Good Fight August 30, 2010 The Good Fight
Madison Magazine / August 2010 / The Good Fight
Battles to keep a good reputation, stay connected with voters and keep a promise to a daughter
By Jenny Price
Keeping a Promise
Malinda Turvey was just eighteen years old when she died in a horrific crash on the Interstate near Janesville, packed into a van
with other members of a traveling magazine sales crew. Her father,
Phil Ellenbecker, has spent “every second of every day” in the decade since the accident looking for a way to
find some justice for his daughter. There were days when Ellenbecker was
bone-tired after walking the halls of the state Capitol trying to persuade legislators to support a bill regulating the traveling sales
industry. But his promise to Malinda on her grave kept him
going. We spoke in the weeks after Governor Doyle signed into law “Malinda’s Act”—the first
of its kind in the country. When he first started his journey, Ellenbecker
didn’t think he could accomplish something as significant as getting a bill passed. Now he knows the truth: anyone can
do it; they just have to push hard enough. Going forward, he’s
directing his considerable energies toward similar federal legislation; I wouldn’t bet against him.
By Jenny Price
Madison Magazine
http://www.madisonmagazine.com
Madison, Wisconsin Read This
Story
Mankato, Minnesota
Agressive Magazine Salesmen Arrested For Not Having A License August 30, 2010 Agressive Magazine Salesmen Arrested
For Not Having A License
KEYC Television
August 30, 2010 at 9:11pm
Three men are arrested after Mankato police take several complaints about
aggressive out - of - state magazine salesmen...22 year old Richard Siems,
19 year old Anthony Koch and 25 year old Marques Hastings were taken into custody over the weekend.According to
police...residents at the Highland Hills apartment complex said the salesmen were pushy
and aggressive, sometimes even refusing to leave until residents bought subscriptions.When police arrived they found the men
didn't have a peddler's license and they arrested them.All three have
since been released on bail.Door - to - door vendors in the Mankato area are required to have a peddler's license and need to
have it with them while selling.
KEYC Television
http://www.keyc.com
Mankato, Minnesota Read This Story
Clarksville, Tennessee
A Revealing Look at Magazine Salesmen DMPG Info: Door-to-Door Magazine
Sales Company:
Dream Team Subscriptions
Magazine Clearinghouse:
Pacific Coast Clearing Services
Website: http://www.pccsonline.com Google Search: Pacific Coast Clearing
Services
Clarksville Police Case #: 10-15972 and 10-16029
Contact: Detective Teresa Bryden, 931-648-0656, ext 1013.
end DMPG Info August 26, 2010 A Revealing Look at Magazine Salesmen
John Dunn
WZTV FOX 17 News
Thursday, August 26 2010, 08:05 PM CDT
A national advocacy group is sounding a warning about a sexual battery in
Clarksville.
The suspect was selling magazines door to door.
Critics of door to door magazine sales point to a long history of crimes, including rapes and murders.
We spoke to the director of a Wisconsin based group who says these salesmen could put you in danger.
Two women in Clarksville are still shaken by their encounter with a door to door salesman.
"I trusted people and this is what I got," says one victim.
24 year old Clayton Williams Marth was selling magazines for Dream Team Subscriptions when police say he grabbed his
victims’ hands and placed them on his genitals.
"It's a vicious problem, and it's a national tragedy," says industry critic and advocate Phil Ellenbecker.
Phil Ellenbecker has been studying traveling sales crews for the past decade.
His passion is personal. His daughter Malinda was killed on the job when the van she was riding in crashed.
"They operate under the covers, they are fly by night," says Ellenbecker.
The sales crews travel around the country, often in a van with several people.
Many fail to get a proper permit, which is also the case in Clarksville.
Ellenbecker and his Dedicated Memorial Parents Group have a website documenting a long list of crimes, including murder,
allegedly committed by door to door salesmen.
Many of them were selling magazines just like Clayton Marth.
"We've logged upwards in the vicinity of 350 high profile felony cases in the last ten years," says Ellenbecker.
We contacted the local supervisor for Dream Team Subscriptions, and we asked him for his corporate office. He gave us a
number that was disconnected.
FOX 17 News has confirmed that Dream Team is a sales agent for Washington state based Pacific Coast Clearing
Services.
A manager there couldn’t speak with us until Monday.
The victims in Clarksville say they’ve learned their lesson.
"It was bad enough for me that I'm paranoid now. I won't trust anybody," says a victim.
Phil Ellenbecker’s wants other Middle Tennesseans to beware the next time a magazine salesman knocks.
"If they come to your door and you see a out of state tag on that van, you go to the phone and call police because you're in
danger," says Ellenbecker.
Tennessee has a terrible history of crimes being committed by magazine salesmen.
In 2003 three crimes occurred.
A 31 year old woman was raped in La Vergne. A six year old girl was fondled in Portland, and a grandmother in Knox County
was raped and murdered.
We should mention, none of those suspects worked for Dream Team Subscriptions.
John Dunn
WZTV FOX 17 News
http://www.fox17.com
Nashville, Tennessee Read This Story
Clarksville, Tennessee
Magazine Salesman Charged With Two Counts of Sexual Battery DMPG Info:
Door-to-Door Magazine Sales Company:
Dream Team Subscriptions
Magazine Clearinghouse:
Pacific Coast Clearing Services
Website: http://www.pccsonline.com Google Search: Pacific Coast Clearing
Services
Clarksville Police Case #: 10-15972 and 10-16029
Contact: Detective Teresa Bryden, 931-648-0656, ext 1013.
Washington Secretary of State:
PACIFIC COAST CLEARING SERVICES, INC.
UBI Number 601482676
Category REG
Profit/Nonprofit Profit
Active/Inactive Active
State Of Incorporation WA
WA Filing Date 07/30/1993
Expiration Date 07/31/2011
Inactive Date
Registered Agent Information
Agent Name SANDRA J ROVAI
Address FIRST INTERSTATE PLZ
1201 PACIFIC AVE #2200
City TACOMA
State WA
ZIP 98401
Governing Persons
Title Name Address
President GILLESPIE , WILLIAM
785 LOS FELIZ
LAS VEGAS , NV
Vice President FRYK , KEN
5775 SOUNDVIEW DR
#103-C
GIG HARBOR , WA
BBB
Name: Pacific Coast Clearing Services Inc
Phone: (253) 851-8414
Fax: (253) 851-8415
Address: 5775 Soundview Dr Ste 103C
Gig Harbor, WA 98335-2222
Website: www.pccsonline.com
Original Business Start Date: August 1993
Local Start Date: August 1996
Principal: Ms Mary Millard, Complaint Contact
Customer Contact: Ms Mary Millard, Complaint Contact - (253) 851-8586
Entity: Corporation
Incorporated: August 1993, WA
Industry Classification: Magazines - Subscription Agents, Magazine Sales,
Magazines - Dealers, Magazines Sold Door-to-Door
BBB Accreditation: Pacific Coast Clearing Services Inc is not a BBB Accredited business.
Business Management
Additional company management personnel include:
Mr Ken Fryk - COO/CFO
Additional Locations and Phone Numbers
Additional Addresses
5775 Soundview Dr. Suite 103C
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
5775 Soundview Dr Ste 104C
Gig Harbor, WA 98335-2090
Additional Phone Numbers
Tel: (253) 851-8586
Pacific Coast Clearing Services Inc: A.K.A.:
aka Classic Sales aka Creator Sales aka Elite Sales aka Explorer Sales Inc aka Family Reading Program aka Imperial Sales aka
Infinite Enterprises Inc aka Island Sales aka Jaguar Sales aka K T S Inc
aka Liberator Sales Inc aka Magazine Rewards aka North American Clearing Corporation aka North American Subscription
Services aka Northwest Clearing Corporation aka NCS aka Pacific Northwest Clearing
Corporation aka Pacific NW Clearing Corp aka Pacific Sales aka Platinum Sales aka Prince Sales Inc aka Road Runner Sales
aka Roadrunner Sales aka Signature Sales Inc aka South Pacific Sales aka
Starfleet Subscription Services Inc aka Storm Enterprises aka Success Express Sales Inc aka Superior Sales aka Super Star
Sales Inc aka Superstar Sales Inc aka Superstars Sales Inc aka Tnt Sales aka
Tornado Sales aka Travel USA aka Universal Sales aka Unlimited Sales aka Untouchable Sales aka tower of power
A man going door to door selling magazines has been charged with Two
Counts of Sexual Battery, after victimizing two woman, 25 and 27 years of age,
in two separate incidents in the North Clarksville area (Jack Miller Blvd. and Wallace Blvd.). The suspect, Clayton Willams
Marth, approached both woman in a similar manner.
He arrived at their residences and upon contact with the women, inquired about other occupants, started his sales pitch to sell
magazines and then began to compliment the women’s personal
appearance. As the conversation progressed, he began to make lewd, unsolicited comments to the women. Then, according to
the victims, Clayton Marth without notice, grabbed their hands and placed it
on his genital area. In one instance, Marth had been allowed in the residence and, in the other incident, it actually occurred in the
doorway of the residence.
In both cases, there were other people inside of the residence at the time of the Sexual Battery. There were two children inside
of the house when the Sexual Battery occurred at the doorway and
another female adult at the residence where he was allowed inside. One of the victims said that when they told Marth they did
not have money to buy a magazine, he offered to pay for a subscription in
exchange for a sexual favor.
Clayton Willams Marth (W/M, DOB: 12/5/85, Given Address: Homeless) was charged with Two Counts of Sexual Battery.
Bond: $50,000.
Marth is a transient and reportedly works for Dream Team Subscriptions. Also, Marth has a history of criminal activities in other
states.
The lead investigator is Detective Teresa Bryden, 931-648-0656, ext 1013.
Clarksville Online
http://www.clarksvilleonline.com
Clarksville, Tennessee Read
This Story
Clarksville, Tennessee
Pregnant Woman: Salesman Made Me Touch Him DMPG Info: Door-to-Door
Magazine Sales Company:
Dream Team Subscriptions
Magazine Clearinghouse:
Pacific Coast Clearing Services
end DMPG Info August 25, 2010 Pregnant Woman: Salesman Made Me Touch Him
Homeless Door-To-Door Salesman Charged With Sexual Battery
WSMV-TV
updated 8/25/2010 6:16:01 PM ET
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — A woman who is six months pregnant and
has two children said a door-to-door magazine salesman made her touch him.
The woman, who did not want to be named, said she never let the man into her Clarksville home.
"I heard a knock on the door and my son ran to answer it, and (the man) started asking if I wanted to buy magazines," the
woman said. "I said I wasn't interested. He said, 'Well, on a more personal
level, I just want to let you know that you're pretty, and you're cute, and I was wondering if I could come in and show you a
good time because you look like a freak.'"
The woman said he flirted with her then took her hand and put it on his crotch.
The woman said she couldn't close the door on the man, whom police identified as Clayton Williams Marth, because his foot
was wedged in the door opening. She said it took her awhile to report the
incident to police because she was scared, but she hopes talking about the situation will help other women come forward.
"I want to hurt him. He had the guts to do this around my kids, and with me being pregnant," she said. "They told me to come
and pick him out a lineup, and I saw him and wanted to rip his face
off."
Police said the suspect targeted at least two women, both in their mid- to late 20s at apartment complexes on Jack Miller and
Wallace boulevards. They think he may have put thought into who he was
targeting and said he approached both women in a similar manner: first starting his magazine sale pitch, complimenting the
women's appearances and then taking their hands and putting them on his
crotch.
In the other case, the man was allowed into the home. In both cases, there were other people in the home at the time.
The other victim said when she told Marth she didn't have money for a magazine subscription, he offered to take a sexual favor
as payment.
"The woman said, 'Look, I can't afford to buy these magazines,'" said Officer Jim Knoll of the Clarksville Police Department.
"Then, this man said, 'That's OK. You perform a sexual favor, I'll pay
for the magazine prescription for you.'"
Marth, 24, has been charged with two counts of sexual battery. Police said he's homeless and works for Dream Team
Subscriptions. He has a criminal history in other states.
Reporter Forrest Sanders contributed to this story.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com
WSMV-TV
Clarksville, Tennessee Read This Story
Richmond, Virginia
Magazine salesman cashing forged checks August 20, 2010 Magazine salesman cashing forged checks
By Evrod Cassimy
Posted by Shawn Maclauchlan
Posted: Aug 20, 2010 6:25 AM CDT
Updated: Aug 20, 2010 6:25 AM CDT
WWBT NBC12
RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - A warning for anyone who lives in
Chesterfield: a phony salesman is going door to door, selling magazines, but it's just a
trick to get access to your checking account!
This warning is for those who live in the Harbour Point subdivision off Hull Street Road, in the Brandermill community of
Chesterfield.
The crook pretended to be selling magazines to raise money for a soccer tournament and several people wrote him checks.
Later, when they checked their account, those checks had been cashed for sometimes more than $500.
Two of the three people who purchased magazines noticed bogus checks cashed from their accounts. They were cashed in
northern Virginia and Arizona.
A "no solicitation" sign is placed at the entrance to the neighborhood but that didn't stop the crooks from coming in, going door
to door, and taking people's money.
The Brandermill Community Association sent out an email warning to residents and posted it on its website.
By Evrod Cassimy
Posted by Shawn Maclauchlan
WWBT NBC12
http://www.nbc12.com
Richmond, Virginia Read This Story
Holden, Massachusetts
Police arrest 8 door-to-door peddlers last week August 19, 2010 Police arrest 8 door-to-door peddlers last
week
BY PATRICIA ROY PROY@HOLDENLANDMARK.COM
The Landmark
August 19, 2010
Two groups of solicitors were arrested last week and charged with peddling
door-to-door without a permit.
Selling magazine subscriptions and cleaning agents, both groups neglected to register at the police station for a permit.
Prompted by residents’ calls, the police picked up six peddlers on Shrewsbury Street around noon Wednesday, Aug.
11.
Matthew Bradway, 18, from Worcester was the only area resident in the group. The others arrested were Jackie Oliver, 26, of
Tennessee, Daniel Gibbons, 27, of California, Charles McDowell, 17, of
Ohio, Henry Meyer, 20, of New York and Crystal Kelly, 19, from Missouri. The group traveled in a car registered to Serge
Jean-Pierre, 15 Ranley Rd., Mattapan.
“It’s not unusual to see groups like this in town,” said Holden Police Department detective Christopher
Carey. “They are supposed to get a solicitor’s permit and then we
run background checks.” He said other towns have had problems with violence, or breaking and entering associated
with unpermitted peddlers, so HPD makes contact with the sellers as soon as
possible.
On Saturday afternoon, police arrested Stephen Burkhead, 17, of Missouri, and Brian Stone, 29, of Florida, on Harvest Circle
for peddling door-to-door.
All are due in court for arraignment and trial, Carey said. Maximum penalty for door-to-door peddling is $500, or six months in
the house of correction.
BY PATRICIA ROY
PROY@HOLDENLANDMARK.COM
The Landmark
http://www.thelandmark.com
Holden, Massachusetts Read This Story
Fairfax County, Virginia
Door-to-Door Salesman Charged with Sexually Assaulting Va. Teen DMPG
Info: Door-to-Door Cleaner Sales Company:
Pumppers Trust-Mrs. Clean Pump-it-Off Company
end DMPG Info August 18, 2010 Posted: 1:08 PM Aug 18, 2010
Door-to-Door Salesman Charged with Sexually Assaulting Va. Teen FRANCONIA, Va. (AP)
Fairfax County police say they have arrested a door-to-door salesman from North Carolina
after he allegedly sexually assaulted a teenage girl.
Email Address: news@newsplex.com
WCAV/WVAW/WAHU
August 18, 2010
Fairfax County police say they have arrested a door-to-door salesman from North Carolina after he allegedly sexually assaulted
a teenage girl.
Police say 26-year-old Tommy Lee Harmon of Greensboro, North Carolina was selling carpet cleaning products Monday, when
he knocked on the door of a home and met a 14-year-old girl, who was home
alone. They say Harmon went inside and asked to use the bathroom.
After he left the bathroom, officials say he sexually assaulted the girl.
Police say neighbors told them about a group that had been selling items in the area. They later spotted a car matching residents'
description and found Harmon, who is charged with taking indecent
liberties with a minor.
Police say Harmon was with Pumppers Trust-Mrs. Clean Pump-it-Off Company, based in South Carolina.
WCAV/WVAW/WAHU
http://www.newsplex.com
Charlottesville, Virginia Read This Story
Fairfax County, Virginia
Door-to-door salesman accused of assaulting teen DMPG Info: Door-to-Door
Cleaner Sales Company:
Pumppers Trust-Mrs. Clean Pump-it-Off Company
end DMPG Info August 17, 2010 Door-to-door salesman accused of assaulting teen
By: Emily Babay
Examiner Staff Writer
Washington Examiner
August 17, 2010
A cleaning-products salesman has been accused of sexually assaulting a
teenager at a Lorton home where he was trying to sell products.
Tommy L. Harmon, 26, of Greensboro, N.C., was charged Monday with taking indecent liberties with a child.
Harmon, a door-to-door salesman with the Pumppers Trust-Mrs. Clean Pump-it-Off Co., allegedly asked to use the bathroom
at a home, then sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl at the residence.
The teenager was home alone, Fairfax County police said.
Police said area residents told authorities about a group of solicitors who were in the neighborhood selling carpet cleaning
supplies. Late Monday night, police stopped a van that fit the neighbors'
description and Harmon was one of the occupants.
The company is based in South Carolina.
ebabay@washingtonexaminer.com
By: Emily Babay
Examiner Staff Writer
Washington Examiner
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com
Washington, DC Read This Story
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Two magazine solicitors arrested DMPG Info: Door-to-Door Magazine Sales
Company:
Second to None, Inc.
Door-to-Door Magazine Clearinghouse:
Midwest Clearing Inc.
end DMPG Info August 17, 2010 Two magazine solicitors arrested
WLUK-TV
Updated: Tuesday, 17 Aug 2010, 2:21 PM CDT
Published : Tuesday, 17 Aug 2010, 2:13 PM CDT
Rashad A. Hayward (left) and Velvet A. Farmer (Photos courtesy Green Bay Police Dept.)
GREEN BAY - Green Bay police arrested two magazine solicitors Monday
evening after a call from a concerned resident.
Police say a woman was going door to door selling magazine subscriptions in the 3000 block of West Point Rd.
Police questioned the woman who identified herself as Velvet Farmer.
Farmer told police she works for a company called Second to None, Inc. and that she was selling subscriptions to customers
who either gave her checks or cash. Farmer stated customers would receive
their magazines within 90-120 days.
Nearby, officers located a vehicle that was waiting for Farmer. The driver, Rashad Hayward, stated he was a field supervisor for
Second to None, Inc. Officers questioned Hayward and found out his
license was fake and he was wanted on a felony warrant out of Utah for sexual assault. Both Hayward and Farmer were taken
into custody.
Police say Farmer and Hayward did not have a permit to solicit merchandise, which is required by the city of Green Bay.
Hayward was arrested on an outstanding felony warrant, obstructing an officer, and not having a solicitors permit. Farmer was
arrested for not having a solicitors permit.
Meanwhile, Green Bay police are continuing to investigate Second to None, Inc. and its parent company, Midwest Clearing Inc.
That company has had their accreditation with the Better Business Bureau
revoked due to unresolved complaints.
Anyone with additional information about this case can contact the Green Bay Police Department at (920) 448-
3208.
WLUK-TV
http://www.fox11online.com
Green Bay, Wisconsin Read This Story
Salina, Kansas
6 arrested for selling door-to-door without city license August 10, 2010 6 arrested for selling door-to-door without city
license
Salina Journal
8/10/2010
Six people were arrested in Salina Monday on charges of selling cleaning
products door-to-door without a city license. Salina Deputy Police Chief
Carson Mansfield said police warned the solicitors multiple times that they were violating a city ordinance and contacted the
supervisor. When they continued to sell, they were arrested, accused of a
misdemeanor violation and taken to jail, Mansfield said. When peddlers and solicitors come to town, they must apply for a city
permit and pay $35 for a background check, according to city code.
Peddlers and solicitors are then issued a permit with their name, company name, photo, badge number, signature, city logo and
the city clerk’s signature. They are required to wear the badge at
all times. Arrested were: Ryan N. Flores, 22, 1716 Summers; Janira L. Bush, 18, of Detroit, Mich.; Vaughn N. Isom, 35, of
Danville, Ill.; Pricilla M. Anderson, 18, of Detroit, Mich.; Keelan T.
Burgess, 19, of Lithonia, Ga.; and Jermaine R. Henry, 21, of Detroit, Mich.
Salina Journal
http://fwix.com
Salina, Kansas Read This
Story
Cobb County, Georgia
Door-To-Door Salesman Charged With Rape August 9, 2010 Door-To-Door Salesman Charged With
Rape
WSBTV.com
Channel 2
Posted: 11:53 am EDT August 9, 2010
Updated: 12:56 pm EDT August 9, 2010
Georgia Corrections Department
Robin Tracey Harrington
COBB COUNTY, Ga. -- Cobb County Police Department officials made
an arrest in connection with a rape case from 2003. Officials said a DNA match was
made by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab on evidence obtained from a 2003 rape. Police said the victim was
raped at the Woodhollow Apartment complex on Powers Ferry Road in Marietta in
2003. The DNA match identified a suspect, which furthered the investigation, police said. Based on the investigation, detectives
obtained an arrest warrant for Robin Tracey Harrington. At the time of
the rape, Harrington was a door-to-door salesman, police said. Police said he may have used his employment at that time as a
ruse to contact victims. Harrington, 36, has been charged with rape,
aggravated sodomy, aggravated assault and burglary. Harrington was already in the Georgia prison system, police said. Anyone
with information of similar incidents is asked to contact the Crimes
Against Persons Unit at 770-499-3945.
WSBTV.com
Channel 2
http://www.wsbtv.com
Atlanta, Georgia Read This Story
New warning on door-to-door magazine sales DMPG Info: Door-to-Door
Magazine Sales Company:
Seedtime Publications
Trinity Public Relations
end DMPG Info August 4, 2010 New warning on door-to-door magazine sales
Stella M. Chavez
WalletPop
Consumer Ally
Aug 4th 2010 at 2:30PM
Filed under: Consumer Ally
The warnings about magazine sales companies keep coming. The latest is
about Trinity Public Relations, Inc., which the Better Business Bureau in
Charlotte says is sending door-to-door sales crews in the area.
The Florida attorney general shut down the company in 2005 after racking up 68 BBB complaints from 2003 to 2005. The
company, owned by James and Lourdes Davis, moved its operations to Charlotte after
that.
The BBB says 184 complaints against Trinity were filed from 2005 through 2007. Its troubles didn't stop there. In May 2007,
North Carolina's attorney general filed a judgment against Trinity Public
Relations, Inc., Trinity Public Relations, LLC, James Andrew Davis and Lourdes Jimenez Davis preventing them from owning,
managing, participating in or operating any business in N.C. that offers or
sells magazines. Trinity also had to cancel contracts with consumers who complained to the attorney general's office and provide
refunds. The BBB gives the company an F rating. After Trinity was
banned from doing business in N.C., the Davis' changed their business name to Seedtime Publications, LLC and rented a
mailbox in S.C., which operated as their business address. Seedtime had its share
of problems too.
From 2007 through 2009, consumers filed 125 complaints against Seedtime with the BBB and during the past six years,
consumers from 22 states have filed 376 complaints. Most of the complaints allege
misleading sales practices and non-delivery of magazines already paid for by consumers.
Consumer Ally could not reach the company for comment, finding a string of disconnected phone numbers.
The most recent complaint comes from Charlotte resident, Amy Clark, who told the BBB that two young sales representatives
from Trinity Public Relations visited her at home on June 16. They used "high
pressure sales tactics" and tried to get her to give them $700. They peppered her with personal questions and also tried to get
her to invite them into her home, according to the BBB. Clark
ultimately agreed to buy a magazine subscription for $50 just so they would leave. When she researched the company online,
she learned about its history of complaints and legal problems.
"After being barred from doing business in two state and being the focus of intense local and national publicity, I cannot believe
that Trinity Public Relations is once again selling magazines in
N.C. in apparent violation of a court order," BBB President Tom Bartholomy said in a statement.
The BBB has forwarded Clark's complaint to the attorney general. Bartholomy said the customers as well as young sales people
are being taken advantage of. The BBB offers the following advice to avoid
being scammed by a door-to-door salesperson.
Don't allow anyone you don't know into your home.
If you feel threatened, call 911 immediately
Check businesses at www.bbb.org before buying something.
Ask to see a seller's "peddler's license," which is legally required to sell products in many counties.
Don't be pressured to buy on the spot.
The Federal Trade Commission has a three-day cooling off rule which gives you three days to cancel purchases over $25 that
are made in your home or at a location that's not the seller's permanent
place of business. Getting your money back can be difficult but not impossible.
If you are a victim of fraudulent magazine sales or any other scam, file a complaint with the BBB at www.bbb.org or local law
enforcement.
Source
Tags: better business bureau, door-to-door-salespeople, magazine sales, North Carolina, Seedtime Publications, Trinity Public
Relations
Stella M. Chavez
WalletPop
Consumer Ally
http://www.walletpop.com Read This
Story
Red flag raised again over door-to-door magazine sales DMPG Info:
Door-to-Door Magazine Sales Company:
Atlantic Circulation
Coast to Coast Sales
end DMPG Info August 3, 2010 Red flag raised again over door-to-door magazine sales
Stella M. Chavez
WalletPop
Consumer Ally
Aug 3rd 2010 at 11:00AM
Filed under: Consumer Ally
Here's a cautionary tale for anyone who has someone come to the door
selling magazines. Susan Lewis had her doubts about the two young men who
stopped by her house last week to sell her a magazine subscription, but she agreed to listen to their sales pitch.
One of the men pulled out a $20 bill and told Lewis he could give her a $20 discount. He also told her that if he received enough
points for selling subscriptions, he could earn a trip to Maui. Lewis
bought a two-year subscription to Elle magazine and wrote a check for $51. But after the men left, she dialed the phone number
on the receipt and discovered it wasn't valid. The next morning she
asked her bank to stop payment on the check.
"Whoever puts these young men or women up to this needs to stop," Lewis, who lives in Great Falls, Mont., told Consumer
Ally. "I didn't question any of it, but I just knew something was going
on."
Lewis isn't the only one who has complained about such sales tactics. Last year, the Better Business Bureau put out a nationwide
alert warning parents, youth and consumers about door-to-door sales
crews hawking magazines. The BBB teamed up with law enforcement to issue the warning because of numerous police reports
indicating that homeless kids and young adults were being hired and taken
across the country to do these jobs. In one publicized case two years ago, a 16-year-old runaway girl in Spokane, Wash.,
claimed she was monitored during the day and felt unable to leave a traveling
sales company.
This year, several Better Business Bureaus have reported that they've continued to receive complaints from consumers about
questionable sales tactics from such sales crews as well as concerns that
young people are being exploited.
"This industry, due to the fact that they are employing young people from out of the area, raises red flags," said Zan Deery, lead
investigator for the BBB serving Eastern Washington, North Idaho and
Montana. "Many consumers have reported that they don't believe the stories being pitched, that there are too many questionable
pitches, and they feel badly for these kids who are doing the pitching,
because they are being misused somehow."
This week, Deery sent out an alert about Atlantic Circulation, Inc. deploying young adults in Montana and elsewhere. The
company, which has a "C" rating, has been on the BBB's radar for a number of
years.
Deery's BBB office teamed up with Lutheran Community Services Northwest to alert teens about traveling job opportunities
posted online. The ads, which have been posted on Craigslist and MySpace,
describe the jobs as fun and offer opportunities to travel. An ad posted in June reads that a national company is looking for
"skaters, BMX bikers, boarders, surfers and ALL types of OUTGOING girls
and guys." Deery said the BBB traced the number in the ads to a company called Coast-to-Coast Sales, Inc. based in Atlanta.
The BBB in that region has given the company an "F," the lowest rating a
company can receive.
Consumer Ally contacted the number listed on one of the ads and reached a man who identified himself as Brandon Mouzakis,
the sales manager and owner of a company called Supreme Marketing, which
sells magazine subscriptions. He said he was not connected to Coast to Coast even though the phone number is linked to a
website for a company of the same name that has since been taken down.
"We've got a pretty good company and we treat people pretty good," Mouzakis said.
Mouzakis explained that workers are independent contractors, some of whom take the jobs in the summer. He said contractors
travel all over the country and that the company pays for their hotel and
meal expenses. If someone wants out, Mouzakis said he would buy the person a ticket home. He defended his industry when
asked about the number of complaints filed against door-to-door sales
crews.
"I've had all kinds of flak and people say all kinds of things about my industry," Mouzakis said. "There's good companies and
bad companies. I hope people understand that there's more than one
company."
When Consumer Ally looked up Mouzakis' company on the BBB's website, however, it found that the company is rated an "F".
In the past 36 months, the BBB has processed 31 complaints. The company failed
to respond to four complaints and two complaints were not resolved, according to the BBB's report.
Fred Elsberry, president of the BBB serving metro Atlanta, Athens and northeast Georgia, told Consumer Ally that the most
common complaint his office has received about such companies is from
customers who say they've requested but haven't received their refunds. The other frequent complaint is that the sales crews
misrepresent themselves or make up a story about why they're selling the
magazines.
"They train these young people selling door to door to represent themselves as local students," he said. "They're getting these
kids from all over the country."
Meta Marshall, the missing persons specialist for the Spokane Police Department who worked on the runaway case two years
ago, said both the youth and consumers are victims.
"But somebody's getting rich so I can't imagine why they would stop," she said.
Margie Morgan Alexander, a Mississippi resident, said a young man who sold her two magazine subscriptions told her he was
doing the job so he could study abroad in Mexico. She said she called Coast
to Coast 15 times and left numerous messages. Eventually she got through to someone who told her that her magazine had been
mailed to the wrong address.
"I finally got one magazine but not a year's worth subscription," she said. "Already they're sending me a bill...they have terrible
customer service."
Kathleen Duncan said she caved in and bought three magazine subscriptions for $195 in January while staying in her Florida
home. She said a young woman in her early 20s told her she was participating
in a marketing class homework assignment to help her become a better speaker because she was shy. She also indicated she
was trying to earn money for an overseas trip. The woman was very personable
and asked Duncan about herself.
"She worked it well, sucking me into a conversation," Duncan told Consumer Ally. "She said, 'Tell me about you.' Everybody
likes to talk about themselves. I think that's pretty effective."
Duncan hasn't received any of her magazines, but said she did hear back from Coast to Coast after numerous attempts to reach
someone. An e-mail from the company explained she would receive her
magazines in four to six weeks.
"I have learned," Duncan said. "If I never see my magazines, I feel vindicated that at least the BBB is looking into them."
Tags: Atlantic Circulation, better business bureau, Coast to Coast Sales, door-to-door sales, Inc., magazine sales
Stella M. Chavez
WalletPop
Consumer Ally
http://www.walletpop.com Read This
Story
Lexington, Kentucky
5 men arrested in alleged book-selling scam DMPG Info: Door-to-Door
Magazine Sales Company:
Academic Marketing Group
PA. Secretary of State:
Name: ACADEMIC MARKETING GROUP, LLC
Limited Liability Company - Domestic - Information
Entity Number: 3887132
Status: Active
Entity Creation Date: 6/11/2009
State of Business.: PA
Registered Office Address: 237 Beech Lane
Perkside PA 18944
Bucks
Mailing Address: No Address
Officers
Name: JEFFREY M DAWALT
Title: President
Address: 10513 PREZIA DRIVE
AUSTIN TX 78733
BBB:
Name: Academic Marketing Group LLC
Phone: (215) 284-8476
Address: 237 Beech Lane, Perkasie, PA 18944
Business Category: Magazines Sold Door-to-Door
BBB file opened: December 08, 2009
Primary Contact: Mr Robert Richie (Owner)
Complaint Contact: Mr Robert Richie (Owner)
end DMPG Info August 2, 2010 5 men arrested in alleged book-selling scam
By Josh Kegley - jkegley@herald-leader.com
Lexington Herald-Leader
Monday, Aug. 02, 2010
Jeremy L. Albertson
Justin C. Davidson
Anthony T. Lackman
Henry S. Siegman
Tyler M. Smith
The Lexington police department is asking for victims to come forward after
the arrest of five apparent scam artists Friday.
Anthony T. Lackman, Jeremy L. Albertson, Tyler M. Smith, Henry S. Siegman and Justin C. Davidson are charged with theft by
deception, engaging in organized crime and peddling without a permit.
The men were going door to door saying they worked for a company called Academic Marketing Group, claiming to be selling
$40 children's books and promising the books would be delivered later, police
spokeswoman Sherelle Roberts said. They also gave customers the option of having the books delivered to children's
charities.
"The suspects made these sales with no intention of honoring the transaction," police said in a news release.
Now police are trying to find out the scope of the scam by asking Lexington residents who think they have been defrauded by
the men to call police and make a report.
A resident of Glen eagles subdivision called police after becoming suspicious when two of the men were peddling books in the
neighborhood Friday evening, Roberts said.
Officers caught up with the men and took them to headquarters, where they admitted to the scam and gave officers the names of
the other men, who were staying at a hotel near Interstate 75, Roberts
said.
Albertson and Smith face additional charges of unlawful transaction with a minor for allegedly buying alcohol for people younger
than 21, according to court documents. Roberts said much of the money
the men collected was spent at local strip clubs.
Investigators think the men conducted the same scam in Somerset and possibly other states. The men are from Arizona, New
Jersey or Alabama.
Anyone who fell victim to the alleged scam is asked to contact the police's Major Violators Unit at (859) 258-3700 or Bluegrass
Crime Stoppers at (859) 253-2020.
By Josh Kegley - jkegley@herald-leader.com
Lexington Herald-Leader
http://www.kentucky.com
Lexington, Kentucky Read This
Story
Lathrop, California
Door-to-door salesman arrested in Lathrop on suspicion of grand theft July 29, 2010 Door-to-door salesman arrested in
Lathrop on suspicion of grand theft
By Sophia Kazmi
Contra Costa Times
Posted: 07/29/2010 04:14:37 PM PDT
Updated: 07/29/2010 04:14:37 PM PDT
LATHROP — A door-to-door vacuum salesman accused of taking a
laptop and iPhone charger from a Lathrop home was arrested on suspicion of grand
theft Wednesday. About 5:30 p.m., Aaron Lee Barnett, 20, was invited into a home in the 800 block of Waterman Avenue to
give a demonstration and allegedly took a Hewlett-Packard computer and the cell
phone charger, according to the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office. Barnett was found nearby in the 300 block of Calcite
Avenue. He gave the items back to deputies, who then returned them to the
victim, the Sheriff's Office said. The salesman was booked into San Joaquin County Jail.
Contact Sophia Kazmi at 925-847-2122. Follow her at Twitter.com/sophiakazmi.
By Sophia Kazmi
Contra Costa Times
http://www.mercurynews.com
San Jose, California Read This Story
Denver, Colorado
Jeremy and Alicia
Homeless Youth Labor Trafficking DMPG Info: Door-to-Door Magazine Sales
Company:
Urban Development Solution
end DMPG
Info July 26,
2010 Jeremy and Alicia
Homeless Youth Labor Trafficking
www.youtube.com
July 26, 2010
Jul 26, 2010
Jeremy and Alicia
I received a call today from Chris, an outreach worker at Denver's homeless youth services Urban Peak
[http://www.urbanpeak.org/]. He said he had to pick up some kids left stranded by a "sales crew".
I never heard of such a thing so it didn't "register" or make sense. ... When I arrived at their down...See More
Friday at 3:04pm
Hampden Township, Pennsylvania
Door-to-door soap salesman stole Hampden Township woman's purse, police say DMPG
Info: Door-to-Door Cleaner Sales Company:
Mrs. Cleans Pump-it-off
Distributor:
Pumppers Trust
BBB:
BBB Rating: F
Business Contact and Profile
Name: Pumppers Trust
Phone: (803) 481-3190
Fax: (803) 481-9738
Address: 2122 Cains Mill Rd
Sumter, SC 29154-8947
Website: www.pumppers.com
Original Business Start Date: June 1994
Principal: Mr. Thomas Marshall, Trustee
Customer Contact: Mr. Thomas Marshall, Trustee
Employees: 5
Type of Business: Cleaning Supplies
BBB Accreditation: This company is not a BBB Accredited business.
Additional DBA Names: Pumppers Inc
Pump It Off Cleaner
Pump-It-Off-MS Clean
HAMPDEN TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT CASE #: HAM20100700856
According to police reports Tautard J. Gillepsie has an extensive
criminal history. Google Search: Pumppers Trust
end DMPG Info July 26, 2010 Door-to-door soap salesman stole Hampden Township woman's purse, police say
Published: Monday, July 26, 2010, 12:10 PM
Updated: Monday, July 26, 2010, 8:09 PM
CHRIS A. COUROGEN, The Patriot-News
PennLive.com
A door-to-door salesman from North Carolina is in Cumberland County
Prison after police said he stole a Hampden Township woman's purse and used her
credit card. Hampden Township police said Tautard J. Gillepsie, 31, of Charlotte, N.C., was traveling with a group of people
who go door-to-door selling a liquid cleaning product when he took the
purse, which belonged to a woman on Winthrop Drive. Gillepsie was seen on surveillance video from merchants using the
woman's credit card to buy gasoline, clothing and electronics equipment, police
said. Gillepsie said he acted alone when he took the purse and used the credit card, police said. A CD player/radio he bought
was found in the front seat of a vehicle he was riding in, police said,
and clothing and electronics items were found in his motel room in Lebanon County. Police charged Gillepsie with theft, receiving
stolen property and fraudulent use of a credit card, court documents
state. He was arraigned in front of District Judge Thomas A. Placey, who set bail at $10,000 and ordered Gillepsie held when he
was unable to post bail. A preliminary hearing is set for
Wednesday.
CHRIS A. COUROGEN, The Patriot-News
http://www.pennlive.com
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Read This
Story
Carroll County, Maryland
Dynasty Sales goes door-to-door in Carroll County DMPG Info: Door-to-Door
Magazine Sales Company:
Dynasty Sales
Website: http://mydynastysales.com
end DMPG
Info July 25,
2010 Dynasty Sales goes door-to-door in Carroll
County
Posted: Sunday, July 25, 2010 12:00 am | Updated: 5:54 pm, Sat Jul 24, 2010.
By Marc Shapiro, Times Staff Writer
Carroll County Times
Several area residents have been approached by door-to-door salespeople
they believe to be scammers. They are selling magazine subscriptions and
children's books.
The stories only differ slightly. A young woman told a Finksburg resident she was a drama student selling children's books to
raise money for a trip to London's Globe Theatre. A young man told a
different Finksburg resident he was selling magazine subscriptions that would be donated to the military, hoping to raise money
so he could attend an academic seminar in Seattle. Another young man
selling children's books told a Westminster couple he was raising money for a school trip to London.
For the most part, the salespeople were unable to produce legitimate credentials. They even told stories residents believe were
made up about being from the area and knowing people in the
neighborhood.
"Unless you're going to get something in hand when you turn over the money, it's probably not a wise idea to purchase things
from people coming door to door with promises of future delivery," said
Dave Daggett, a deputy state's attorney. "I'm not saying these people aren't legit, but for the most part, it's not really a good
idea."
Two of the three salespeople were identified as working for Dynasty Sales. The company's website says it has sold over
200,000 magazine subscriptions, books and DVDs going door to door in the last
three years. The company claims it is giving young adults an early start on a long-term productive career, according to the
website.
A phone number for Dynasty Sales was not available and the company did not return an e-mail seeking comment.
Jody Thomas, spokeswoman for the Better Business Bureau of Greater Maryland, said there are no reported complaints against
Dynasty Sales, but some could have been filed since complaints aren't
reported until the bureau closes each complaint.
"We get magazine complaints every summer," Thomas said.
In the past 12 months, BBB has received 600 complaints nationally about door-to-door magazine salespeople. Eight of them
came from Maryland, but the most recent one was from fall 2009, Thomas
said.
Paula Lacy, a Finksburg resident, was approached earlier this month by a young man and young woman at her home off Kays
Mill Road. The woman, who was selling children's books, said she was a drama
student at Temple University and her parents were making her go door to door to raise money to go to the Globe Theatre in
London. She asked Lacy questions about her neighbors and whether she knew
where Temple was and had heard of the Globe Theatre.
"Part of the technique is to ask individual questions. Some are pertinent and some aren't, and they use that information at the next
house," Lacy said.
The woman said that if Lacy didn't have children, the books could be donated to Johns Hopkins University.
The woman, who gave a name but did not have any identification, said she lived in the neighborhood. Lacy, suspicious of the
woman's story, asked if she knew any of her neighbors. She said she knew
the Smiths.
"She could tell by my reaction that I didn't believe her," Lacy said. "She said, ‘I think it begins with an ‘S,' I
really don't know. I've been at college and we've only lived here for a
year.'"
In 2008, Lacy's husband actually wrote a check to a Dynasty Sales employee for children's books, but after looking the
company up online and seeing various complaints and stories similar to their
own, they canceled the check.
A state trooper came by after Lacy called the police, but he said he couldn't do anything unless a crime had been committed.
Some towns in the county require door-to-door salespeople to get some kind
of permit.
Lacy also spoke with the state's attorney's office, who told her the same thing.
"There's really not a whole lot that we could do because there's no real crime that's been committed at that point," Daggett
said.
David Cronin, who lives on Hook Road in Westminster, said he and his wife were approached by a young man from Dynasty
Sales who said he was selling books to pay for a school trip to London.
Paula Houck, a Finksburg resident who lives off of Kays Mills Road South, was approached by a young man who claimed he
was selling magazine subscriptions for the military. The buyer would pay for the
subscription, which would then be sent to a member of the military. He told her he attended the University of Maryland for
aerospace engineering and was raising money to go to a seminar in
Seattle.
Houck said she and her family have lived there for nine years and this is the third or fourth time this has happened.
"I told him straight out, ‘I've had a lot of kids coming to my house selling things for school, but I have never seen such a
poor information tag on what you were buying,' " she said. "I said,
‘I don't want anything to do with this. It looks shady.'"
Reach staff writer Marc Shapiro at 410-857-7890 or marc.shapiro@carrollcountytimes.com.
By Marc Shapiro, Times Staff Writer
Carroll County Times
http://www.carrollcountytimes.com
Westminster, Maryland Read This
Story
Research:
Magazine Company:
Integrity Sales/Integrity Program
Integrity
Sales Website: integritysale.com
Integrity Program Website: integritypgm.com
Arizona Secretary of State Corporation/LLC Website: Az. S.O.S. Corp/LCC
Arizona Secretary of State: Integrity Sales: Integrity
Sales
Criminal Profiles: Search For: Integrity Sales
Magazine Scams: Integrity Sales
Consumer Advocacy: Edumacation.com: Integrity Sales BBB Report
Phoenix, Az.: unsatisfactory Rip Off Report: Integrity Sales
Magazine Company/Sales Crews as of 05/13/06:
Magazine Fulfillment Services - Operated by Robert Spruiell
Integrity Sales, Inc. - Operated by Robert Spruiell
Integrity Program, Inc.- Operated by Robert Spruiell
Circulation I - Operated by Karkeen Hillery
Circulation II - Operated by Karleen Hillery
SERVICES UNLIMITED PLUS - Operated by Karleen Hillery Spruiell/Robert Spruiell
National Community Clearing, INC - Operated by Karleen Hillery
TEAM X-TREME
DYNASTY SALES
POWERHOUSSE SALES
KAYS NATURALS - Karleen Hillery Crew
Kay's Naturals website: ournaturals.com
Crew Name: 029
Crew Name: 032
IP MARKETING
IMPACT PUBLICATIONS
Subscriptions Plus - Operated by Karleen Hillery
(old mag. company name - may be in use again)
Integrity Sales is a Member of National Field Selling Association: nfsa.com
National Field Selling Association is a member of:
Magazine Publishers of America: magazine.org
Lookup: Karleen Hillery - Janesville Wisconsin Van Crash March 25, 1999 Karleen Hillery Profile
View Recent Criminal Activities of Karleen Hillery Spruiell: Karleen Hillery Spruiell
(NOTE: for search on Arizona State Supreme Court Criminal Records
Enter: Last Name: Spruiell, First Name: Karleen in search box.
Note: The DMPG collects information from various
sources:
police reports, court documents, media articles, and secretary of state websites.
The DMPG is not responsible for inaccurate data in any of the above sources of information.
Various company websites change over a period of time. Information and Links also change.
The DMPG cannot control this and for this reason cannot guarantee 100% accuracty of data.
If you have a question or find an error on this website please contact the DMPG WebMaster: WebMaster
~or~ read the DMPG disclaimer: DMPG
Disclaimer
Tucson, Arizona
Traveling salesman admits stomping Tucson man to death July 23, 2010 Traveling salesman admits stomping
Tucson man to death
Arizona Daily Star
Kim Smith Arizona Daily Star | Posted: Friday, July 23, 2010 11:00 am
A 24-year-old traveling magazine salesman from Pennsylvania is facing
between seven and 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter
Friday.
Robert J. Hines admitted he was one of two men who stomped Daniel Willis, 40, to death on Dec. 6.
Defense attorney Jill Thorpe said Hines, Willis and Harold Marquart, 57, were drinking heavily when a "play fight" between
Willis and Marquart turned serious.
Hines joined Marquart in stomping Willis about the face and head before getting scared and fleeing, Thorpe said. When he left,
Willis was still alive, she said.
Willis' body was found at a home in the 2300 block of East Eastland Street, near East 22nd Street and South Tucson
Boulevard.
Police officials said Willis was frequently homeless and had been allowed to stay in a small shack on the property where he was
found dead.
Pima County Superior Court Judge Richard Fields will sentence Hines Sept. 27.
Marquart was released from the Arizona State Prison five days prior to the slaying after serving 4 1/2 years on an aggravated
assault charge, according to prison records.
Marquart, who is scheduled to be back in court Aug. 23, has also been offered a plea agreement.
Posted in Crime on Friday, July 23, 2010 11:00 am Updated: 12:57 pm.
Arizona Daily Star
Kim Smith Arizona Daily Star
http://azstarnet.com
Tucson, Arizona Read This
Story
Bend, Oregon
Three Arrested In Door-To-Door Salesmen Scuffle DMPG Info: Bend, Oregon
Police Case#: 10-03-04879
end DMPG
Info July 21,
2010 Three Arrested In Door-To-Door Salesmen
Scuffle
July 21, 2010 01:48 pm
Bill Baker
News and Public Affairs Director
myCentralOregon.com Staff
BEND, OR -- An argument over sales tactics led to the arrest of three
people in southeast Bend Wednesday morning.
Bend Police officers responded about 9:20 am to a report of seveal people physically fighting with weapons near the Chalet
Motel on south 3rd Street.
As officers were responding to the area an associated vehicle was spotted by one of the responding officers going northbound
on NE 3rd Street near the Burlington Northern Railroad overpass.
A police officer stopped the vehicle in the Truck Toys parking lot at NE 3rd and NE Burnside, and were joined by other officers
who conducted what is commonly referred to as a high risk traffic
stop.
The eleven subjects who were in the vehicle were detained and questioned by officers regarding their involvement in the
altercation.
According to police, the individuals were from a magazine sales group and a vacuum cleaner sales group who were arguing over
each others sales tactics. A member of one of the groups mentioned having
a gun during the argument, but no weapons were located. Only minor injuries were reported.
Most of the involved individuals were not from the Bend area and were only here doing door to door sales work for their
respective companies.
During the investigation officers determined who the primary aggressors were from both groups, Daniel Ellis Catlin, 27, Bend;
Brandon D. Stice, 28, Aztec, NM; and Eric Andrew Mann, 19, West Palm
Beach, FL, were arrested and issued citations to appear in the Deschutes County Circuit Court for Disorderly Conduct II and
Harassment.
##
When you see news happen, call the KBNW News Tip Hotline at 541.323.NEWS or email us.
Bill Baker
News and Public Affairs Director
myCentralOregon.com Staff
http://www.mycentraloregon.com
Central Oregon-- Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson Counties. Read
This Story
July 11, 2010
Magazine Sales Crew 'Buzz' Words/Slang and Other Useful Information: Mag Buzz
Words
Calgary, Alberta
Police outraged by violent home invasion robbery July 10, 2010 Police outraged by violent home
invasion robbery
By NADIA MOHARIB, CALGARY SUN
Last Updated: July 10, 2010 4:55pm
The attack on two seniors in their own home, where they were bound,
beaten and terrified for more than an hour, has left even veteran police
sickened.
The violent home invasion began with a door knock at the couple’s tidy Applewood Dr. S.E. home Friday afternoon
with two men, carrying clipboards posing as door-to-door salesman.
Seconds later, they forced their way past the woman at the door, believed to be the grandchild of the couple — both 77
years of age.
All three were bound by the pair, and another man who followed them inside, and threatened by the criminals who demanded to
know where valuables were kept.
The ordeal began about 1 p.m. and it wouldn’t end until about 90 minutes when the thieves fled.
Police said they do not believe the house was targeted at random, but they also don’t know why the couple, who are
not known to have any criminal involvement, were singled out and attacked,
robbery Staff Sgt. Grant Miller.
Detectives have not ruled out criminals hit the house armed with information leading them to believe it would be lucrative given
valuables there.
Miller said they are trying to figure out what motivated the cowardly criminals given, despite ransacking the home, they left with
items of no substantial value.
Whatever, the reasons, he said there is no justification for the violence unleashed — one which left the man so badly
injured he was initially taken to hospital in life-threatening
condition.
“Few crimes are more cowardly than restraining, beating, and robbing senior citizens in their own home and we want the
public’s help to find them,” Miller said of the three suspects
still at large.
“It was very traumatic .... and even in the criminal community, this won’t go over well, it’s not a crime
that can be bragged about.
“Unfortunately, nothing surprises me, but we’re very upset about this.”
The criminals left after about 90 minutes with the daughter managing to free herself and call 911.
The couple were taken to hospital, though the woman had less severe injuries than her husband.
According to neighbours, he was rushed off in an ambulance — bloodied after being beaten in the head and face with a
blunt object.
“These (victims) suffered through a lot of physical violence and abuse,” Miller said.
“For whatever reasons the bad guys came to this location. This was not a random thing but we are trying to figure out
why they were targeted, why there were in there 90 minutes, what they were
waiting for and what they were looking for — that’s what we need answers to.”
The culprits are said to be a clean-cut Asian male, a darker-skinned man, possibly Filipino, and a black man — all aged
17 to 20.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1- 800- 222-8477.
nadia.moharib@sunmedia.ca
By NADIA MOHARIB, CALGARY SUN
http://www.calgarysun.com
Calgary, Alberta Read This Story
Des Moines, Iowa
Woman refuses rape kit, refuses to contact police July 9, 2010 Woman refuses rape kit, refuses to
contact police
BLOG POST BY ADAM BELZ ABELZ@DMREG.COM JULY 9, 2010
blogs.desmoinesregister.com
The 19-year-old who said she was raped Wednesday in northeast Des
Moines refused a rape kit and police have not been able to contact her.
“We have attempted to talk to her several times and she has not contacted us,” Sgt. Lori Lavorato said.
The woman told police she was raped by a man when she was selling magazine subscriptions door-to-door. No arrests have
been made, and without DNA evidence, any prosecution would be difficult.
“That’s a huge piece of evidence, and without that it’s very hard to prove,” Lavorato
said.
The woman, who was selling magazine subscriptions door-to-door in Des Moines, was staying at the Microtel in Colfax, 25
miles east of Des Moines.
She and a group of 11 others checked out of the hotel the morning after she told police she was raped.
Her friend, who took her to the hospital after she spoke with police, had taken out a peddler’s license with the city
clerk’s office for the “taking of orders for future delivery of
couponcards/magazines.”
The license was dated July 2, and showed that the group had been in Davenport, Cedar Rapids and Iowa City before coming to
Des Moines.
BLOG POST BY ADAM BELZ ABELZ@DMREG.COM
http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com
Des Moines, Iowa Read This Story
Des Moines, Iowa
Magazine seller tells Des Moines police she was raped July 9, 2010 Magazine seller tells Des Moines
police she was raped
BY ADAM BELZ ABELZ@DMREG.COM JULY 9, 2010
desmoinesregister.com
A 19-year-old South Carolina woman selling magazine subscriptions door-
to-door told police she was raped Wednesday afternoon by a man at a northeast
Des Moines home.
The woman told police she knocked on the door of 3000 N. Union St. early Wednesday afternoon and a man invited her inside,
where he threatened her with a knife and raped her, a police report
said.
The home is owned by Raul Chavez and Maria Estrada, according to Polk County property records. Chavez and Estrada do
not live in the home, Chavez said when reached late Thursday at his east Des
Moines home. Chavez said a friend was staying in the home with his girlfriend. Chavez said the man, whom he did not identify,
disputed the teenager's story and was looking for a lawyer.
"He said the woman came in and asked for money," Chavez said. "He said he didn't have any money and she left mad and called
the police. He said he didn't do anything wrong."
The woman told police the man at the North Union home invited her in and offered her a soda. They sat down and started
talking, she said. He told her about his family and said he was 40 years old,
the woman told police.
As they spoke, the man picked up a knife and was "playing" with it, the woman told police. This made her uncomfortable and
she stood up to leave.
She told police the man then held the knife in his left hand, pushed her down on the couch and began to rape her as she flailed
and yelled at him to stop. She said he got up to get something to hold
her down, and she punched him.
She told police she then stood up, grabbed her belongings and ran out the door. The suspect followed her for "a few houses"
and gave up, she said.
She ran to a nearby home to call her friend from Florida who was traveling with her. Together, they called police a little after 2
p.m. and reported the incident. The Des Moines Register does not
identify the victims of sexual assaults without their consent.
Police searched the North Union home, but don't have a clear suspect, though they are interviewing some people of interest, Sgt.
Lori Lavorato said.
The woman who said she was raped was staying at the Microtel Inn ∓mp; Suites just off Interstate Highway 80 north
of Colfax, police said.
Valerie Vandervort, the hotel's manager, said a crew of 12 had been staying there about 10 days. She wouldn't give the name of
the man who paid for the rooms, but said he was older than the others
and paid for the rooms with cash each night.
The group was quiet, and most were around 20 years old, she said. They checked out of the hotel, about 25 miles east of Des
Moines, on Thursday morning.
"The rooms weren't too bad, they just left half their stuff," Vandervort said.
BY ADAM BELZ ABELZ@DMREG.COM
http://www.desmoinesregister.com
Des Moines, Iowa Read This Story
Kent County, Michigan
Sheriff says beware of door to door sales July 9, 2010 Sheriff says beware of door to door
sales
The Cedar Springs Post Newspaper
Posted on 09 July 2010.
The Kent County Sheriff’s Office is warning consumers to use
caution when doing business with door-to-door magazine solicitation companies.
Sheriff’s deputies have reported that numerous residents in Grand Rapids and Ada Township are being contacted by
traveling magazine sales crews.
Better Business Bureau (BBB) President Jim Hegarty stated, “This is an industry that has been problematic from coast
to coast. In the last 12 months alone, the BBB has taken over 1,100
complaints from consumers in 46 states and the District of Columbia against more than 50 companies that are selling magazines
door-to-door.”
Many door-to-door magazine sales companies employ crews of high school and college-age people. These crews are sent to
communities to knock on doors and sell magazines sometimes without appropriate
licensing. In the sales pitch, the representative might explain they are working to help get their lives back on track, raising money
for school tuition, etc.
In an article released by the Council of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB) in May, 2009 regarding door-to-door magazine sales,
CBBB President Steve Cox stated, “Experience tells us that customers
aren’t the only victims; the young salespeople are also potentially being taken advantage of by their employers and
forced to work long hours, endure substandard living conditions and have
their wages withheld from them.”
“Every year these magazine salespeople hit the pavement, and every year BBB receives complaints from consumers
who feel they were ripped off,” said Hegarty. “Even if the seller tugs
at your heart with a convincing pitch, consumers must always stop and do their research before purchasing any products or
services.”
BBB offers the following advice to avoid getting scammed by a door-to-door magazine sales rep:
Always research the company with your Better Business Bureau for free at bbb.org before filling out a check for a magazine
subscription.
The Federal Trade Commission’s Three-Day Cooling-Off Rule gives the customer three days to cancel purchases over
$25 that are made in their home or at a location that is not the seller’s
permanent place of business. Along with a receipt, salespeople should also include a completed cancellation form that customers
can send to the company to cancel the agreement. By law, the company
must give customers a refund within 10 days of receiving the cancellation notice.
Victims of fraudulent magazine sales can file a complaint with BBB at bbb.org or 800-649-6814, local law enforcement, and
state Attorney General offices.
http://cedarspringspost.com
Cedar Springs, Michigan Read This
Story
Des Moines, Iowa
Police investigate rape case in northeast Des Moines DMPG Info:
Door-to-Door Magazine Sales Company:
Flord Agency
end DMPG
Info July 8,
2010 Police investigate rape case in northeast Des
Moines
by Adam Belz
July 8, 2010
blogs.desmoinesregister.com
A 19-year-old selling magazines door-to-door told police she was raped by
a man at a northeast Des Moines home Wednesday afternoon.
The woman, who is from South Carolina, knocked on the door of 3000 North Union St. early in the afternoon and a man invited
her in. He offered her a soda, they sat down and started talking. He told
her about his family and said he was 40 years old, she said.
According to what she told police: As they spoke, he picked up a knife and was “playing” with it. This made her
uncomfortable and she stood up to leave.
She said the man then held the knife in his left hand, pushed her down on the couch and began to rape her as she flailed and
yelled at him to stop. She said he got up to get something to hold her
down and she punched him.
She told police she then stood up, grabbed her stuff and ran out the front door. The suspect followed her for “a few
houses” and gave up, she said.
She ran to a nearby home to call her friend from Florida who was traveling with her. Together, they called police a little after 2
p.m. and reported what happened.
Police are still investigating and don’t have a clear suspect, though they are interviewing some people of interest, Sgt.
Lori Lavorato said.
The woman said she was working for the Flord Agency, a company with a mailing address in Delray Beach, Fla. The Better
Business Bureau of Southeast Florida and the Caribbean gives the business a
grade of “F.”
The Better Business Bureau warned last year that young people who work for companies like Flord are often victims. They are
taken hundreds of miles from home, often across state lines. They live out
of vans or hotels and sometimes don’t make much money.
The National Consumers League calls traveling youth sales crews the worst job for a teenager in 2010, simply because it is too
dangerous, and young people can too often be victimized.
by Adam Belz
http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com
Des Moines, Iowa Read This Story
Nashua, Massachusetts
Pa. man arrested for Nashua robbery
Suspect was selling magazines door to door DMPG Info: Door-to-Door
Magazine Sales Company:
Pacific Coast Clearing Services
Magazine Clearinghouse:
Pacific Coast Clearing Services http://www.pccsonline.com Google Search: Pacific Coast Clearing
Services
end DMPG Info July 8, 2010 Pa. man arrested for Nashua robbery
Suspect was selling magazines door to door
By Robert Mills, rmills@lowellsun.com
The Sun
lowellsun.com
Updated: 07/08/2010 06:41:54 AM EDT
NASHUA -- A 21-year-old Pennsylvania man who was selling magazines
door to door was arrested for burglary in Nashua on Tuesday less than a month
after Littleton Police warned residents here not to deal with such salesmen.
Lowell police and Pelham police also have encountered troubles with door-to-door salesmen in the past, arrested them on
felony warrants and for assaulting police officers.
Almost all local towns require a permit for anyone making door to door sales.
Nashua police say they arrested David Parker, 21, of Duquesne, Pa., shortly after a Nashua woman reported dealing with him in
her yard and then realizing that her wallet had been taken out of her
purse.
Duquesne was working for Pacific Coast Clearing Services, of Washington, which Nashua police say is a company with several
aliases.
Nashua police warn residents that all door to door salesman need both state and local permits in New Hampshire, and that no
one from Pacific Coast Clearing Services has obtained such permits.
Parker is being held on a felony charge of burglary.
Littleton police warned residents not to deal with such salesman last month after getting numerous reports from residents and
citing two men for going door to door without permits there.
"Be very nice to them, tell them no thank you and call the police department," Littleton Lt. Matthew King told residents.
Pelham Police arrested an Indian man last summer after he went door to door in town and was found to be wanted on a felony
warrant for assault, carjacking and drug possession.
That same man, Keylon Andrews, then 23, had assaulted a pair of Lowell police officers a year earlier after they confronted him
about lurking near a home on Rae Street.
City police have also warned residents to call police if anyone comes to their door without a permit.
By Robert Mills, rmills@lowellsun.com
The Sun
lowellsun.com
http://www.lowellsun.com
Lowell, Massachusetts Read This Story
Pella Iowa
Police Arrest Pushy Salespeople, Following Complaints DMPG Info:
Door-to-Door Magazine Sales Company:
Flord Agency
end DMPG
Info July 7,
2010 Police Arrest Pushy Salespeople, Following
Complaints
Posted: Wednesday, July 7th, 2010 at 6:23 am
Author: KNIA/KRLS News-Eric Gotschall
Complaints from Pella residents led to the arrests of four out-of-state people
Monday afternoon in Pella. The Pella Police Department received three
calls, complaining of rude and overly aggressive people going door-to-door, claiming they were selling magazines. Eric North of
North Carolina, Corey Mortenson of New Mexico, Samuel Borner of
Tennessee and Rhonda Anderson of Florida were all arrested and charged with Selling Without a Permit and held overnight at
the Pella Police Department. The group was linked to a company called Flord
Agency, which is based out of Delray Beach, Florida. A search for the company online yielded multiple forums with complaints
of similar behavior posted from around the country. Pella City Code
requires anyone going door-to-door selling items to have a permit, and residents are encouraged to ask to see proof of the
permit if they have questions about a salesperson’s validity.
Filed under: Today’s Local News
Keywords: arrest, Flord Agency, pella, Pella Police Department, sales
Author: KNIA/KRLS News-Eric Gotschall
http://www.kniakrls.com
Pella Iowa Read This
Story
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Police Warn Of Door-To-Door Salesmen Asking For Money July 7, 2010 Police Warn Of Door-To-Door Salesmen
Asking For Money
Posted: 5:11 pm EDT July 7, 2010
WPXI/Pittsburgh.com
PITTSBURGH -- Police have issued a warning about some aggressive
salesmen hitting a local neighborhood. Investigators said the men are after more
than just your business. Pittsburgh police said there have been several complaints about people going door-to-door selling
magazine. They said in some cases the salesmen ask or beg for money.
Authorities said two men were arrested on Rosegarden Street and cited them for vending without a permit. Police said one of
the men was from New York and the other was from North Carolina. Channel 11
found that a city ordinance requires a vending license. It says that no person shall engage in business of being a vendor or
peddler without first obtaining a license from the license officer. Police
said if someone comes soliciting at your door you should ask to see their city issued vendors license. If they don't have one and
seem suspicious, you should contact 911 immediately and give a
description to police.
WPXI/Pittsburgh.com
http://www.wpxi.com
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Read This Story
Eureka, Illinois
Eureka vote requires door-to-door groups to register July 6, 2010 Eureka vote requires door-to-door
groups to register
By Arlene Franks | woodcojo@mtco.com | Posted: Tuesday, July 6, 2010 11:45 pm
The Pantagraph
EUREKA — Groups peddling their goods and services to Eureka
residents now will be required to register their intent with City Hall under a
revised ordinance approved Tuesday. The ordinance, drafted by Eureka Police Chief Eric Luckey, is in response to several
complaints by Eureka residents concerned about out-of-town groups who go door
to door selling items or offering services. Recent examples include a group selling magazines and another offering to clean
carpets, said Luckey. The latter was entering homes on the pretext of
needing to measure rooms, leaving the resident vulnerable to theft. The police did background checks and learned neither group
was legitimate, he said. For-profit and nonprofit groups are required to
register at the city building 10 days prior to when they intend to solicit. Fees of $20 per day per person or $50 per week per
person will be charged. Out-of-town nonprofits are exempt from the fees.
Local nonprofits, such as Scout troops and the local swim team, are exempt from both the registration and fee requirements.
Fees will cover background checks the police will conduct on each group
registering, said Luckey. The 10-day period will give police time to do the checks. Groups must carry their registration form with
them and produce it upon request. If they don’t have the
proper paperwork, residents are asked to call the police dispatcher at 309-467-2375.
By Arlene Franks | woodcojo@mtco.com
http://www.pantagraph.com
Bloomington, Illinois Read This Story
The Southwestern Company – Door to Door Deception DMPG Info:
Door-to-Door Sales Company:
Southwestern Company
Trade Group:
Direct Selling Association
end DMPG Info July 5, 2010 The Southwestern Company – Door to Door Deception
July 5, 2010 by Dad
Someday all this will be yours.
http://somedayallthis.wordpress.com
Blog at WordPress.com
A college-aged woman came to our door and said she was visiting all the
homes of the children in our school district to provide resources for our
kids to use for homework completion. I invited her in. It was also hot outside, and she had made the clear impression that she
was employed by our school district. She showed me her list of names,
and told me she had to visit with each family in her assigned section of the district.
The charade that she was associated with the school district continued, even as I asked direct questions about it. She would not
say “No, I am not from your school district or employed by your
school district.” until I asked her directly “Were you sent by our school district and are you employed by
them?” Instead she said she was interning for “them”
(deliberately vague pronoun meaning her company, rather than the school system), and that she was brought in from Colorado
while interns from our area of the state were sent there as part of the
program. She said it was for college credits.
She asked personal questions about my wife, myself, our home, our kids, and details about our kids’ education. She did
all this under the (technically unstated) guise of being an official with
the local school district. We’d been duped into conversational information sharing with someone misrepresenting
herself.
She eased into what became a more and more obvious sales pitch. She was selling reference books for families “who
prioritize education”. I asked how she got our name and address and she
evaded a couple of times before saying that she inquires about neighbors from other homes she visited. She gave the names of
several of our neighbors, and indicated that the one next door told them
we had small children and that we had a particularly strong interest in their education.
The new neighbors next door do not even know our first names. They may know we have kids, because they see us walking
with them, but they can’t even see our home from where they live and they
certainly don’t know anything about our educational priorities. They moved in less than 6 months ago and they keep to
themselves, we thought they were flipping the house (because of all the
work they immediately did to it), so we didn’t greet them when they first moved in. In short – she was
lying.
I told her that we don’t know those neighbors. She evaded some more then said, “They know you have
kids.”
She then told us, “I’m going to show the books to you, then you tell me yes or no as to whether you want them
or not, okay?”. She seemed to be asking us to agree ahead of time not
to ask any questions about them not answered by her brief presentation.
She showed us the books. They apparently have selections for all stages in primary education. The sample she showed to us
was a vocabulary dictionary for children preparing for grade school. She
turned to the entry “cow” as an example, while she explained that it had been developed in part by someone
associated with Sesame Street programming. Turns out that she chose a bad entry
to start with.
The definition for “cow” was (this is from memory): a grass-eating animal that makes milk in a way we do not
understand.
I said, “That’s really strange wording. Milk production is well understood. That is really weird. It sounds like a
deliberately unscientific way to present information to a
child.”
She had no answer to this, and closed the book. She seemed to know at this point that we were not going to be spending money
on her products. She went through all that work to get into our home under
false pretenses, then she showed us an example from her ‘educational materials’ that was the equivalent of
“nobody knows where electricity comes from.”
Here is the result of two minutes research online – google: how do cows make milk:
I was curious to see more, but she knew it would be a waste of time, and Mom was eager to usher her out to stop the madness
and awkwardness of the whole encounter. I wish like crazy that I had gotten
more of a look at these so-called reference books.
Turns out that Southwestern books are widely described as a scam. Salespeople can earn tuition money by working hard, far
from home, in a dishonest and deceptive manner. The company was founded
selling bibles door to door using these techniques, and its founder is a Baptist minister. Some student unions have banned
Southwestern due to ‘improper business actions’ and there is
controversy over the terms agreed to by their work force.
I care less about the students duped into pursuing a scam as their summer job, and more about the manner in which they pry
private information from neighbors under false pretenses.
Learn about these guys. Tell your friends about them. If one is talking to you – whatever you do, don’t let them
mine you for private information about your family, or your friends and
neighbors.
My first impression was that I had somebody advertising a religion on my door-step (she wore a large cross on her necklace),
she said otherwise and showed some papers to assure me that I was next in
line on her list of families in our school district. She said she was here to help us prepare for the upcoming school year, and
strongly implied that it was under an official capacity not only
endorsed by, but a part of our local school district. Turns out she was selling a product, in a more insidious way than I’d
yet encountered – representing that they are the standard in
educational reference materials, and implying that they are endorsed by our school district.
Buyer beware!
Some links for more information about Southwestern:
(From Southwestern’s own website –emphasizes how they rationalize what they do by saying it is their right to
sell you things in a deceptive but technically legal way. The comments are
worth reading, as they indicate that the salespeople are ultimately the ones being scammed)
I’m including this link to be inclusive it is a question “Are Southwestern books a scam?” on a
homeschooling site. With positive answers followed by “blessings” as a
departing platitude, I think it is clear that some homeschooling families are happy with them – particularly (?) religious
ones. I cannot speak to the quality as well as I’d like to. The
book I saw called milk a mystery beyond comprehension. If my kid’s first grade teacher called milk a mystery beyond
human comprehension, I’d have to meet with that teacher and probably
their supervisor. There are books in the Southwestern line which claim to explain why leaves change color – I
can’t tell you what answers they give. I am only guessing when I assume they
say that it is inexplicable (extrapolating from my abbreviated experience with the product line).
I find this article to be of interest, too – again, from the Southwestern site:
“the headline read, “Residents Warned of Book Scam”. The article was actually the school district
letting the community know the person selling educational books in the area was not
endorsed by the district. With the misleading headline, the article actually caused a problem for the legitimate college student
running her business selling Southwestern Company books.”
The next day, under pressure from Southwestern, the paper ran what amounted to a retraction, calling the sales legitimate.
Do you follow what happened there? The Southwestern sales scripts push fast and hard to give the impression that the
salesperson is working for the school district, without ever actually saying it.
The district wanted to warn that this was going on – but that fact doesn’t technically make the book sales a
scam – it makes the sales technique technically legal while relying on
misconception to get the salesperson in the door. The (apparently effective) hope is that you will forgive the misunderstanding,
attribute it to yourself rather than what the salesperson said
(factually misleading since the salesperson certainly guides you to fill in the blanks incorrectly), and then pay 400 bucks for a
dozen books that seem likely to be startlingly substandard
educational materials, while pushing an agenda in keeping with the founder’s motives and the (republican) politicians the
company funds.
Bottom line: Milk is magic.
No, wait – bottom line: A company can still be scummy if the way they mislead their customers is technically
legal.
by Dad
Someday all this will be yours.
http://somedayallthis.wordpress.com
Blog at WordPress.com Read This
Story
Youngstown, Ohio
Licensing law vexes downtown vendor July 1, 2010 Licensing law vexes downtown
vendor
Published: Thu, July 1, 2010 @ 12:07 a.m.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
skolnick@vindy.com
vindy.com
YOUNGSTOWN
Door-to-door salespeople working in Youngstown and those setting up shop outside of buildings will need a city-issued license
and ID badge as well as a background check to do business.
The law, which goes into effect Sept. 13, isn’t sitting well with one outdoor vendor.
Blanche Silva, who owns a portable hot-dog stand downtown on West Federal Street, near the vacant Wick Building, says she
thinks the new law is “unfair.”
Under the law, she is prohibited from operating a business on public sidewalks.
Running the stand is “something I enjoy doing,” said Silva, who’s been downtown since April and has a
mobile food license from the city’s health department. “It gives me
something to do. I like to talk to people. The [city is] trying to put me out of business. I’m not going to let that happen
because I’m not doing anything wrong.”
The focus of the change is on those setting up shop with merchandise on vacant lots, and not Silva’s business, said
Councilman John R. Swierz, who sponsored the legislation.
“There might be some tweaking of the law” so Silva can stay in business, said Swierz, D-7th.
City council approved the changes that require licensing and background checks because of problems with fly-by-night
operations and salespeople, some who are ripping off residents, he said.
“In this day and age, you don’t know who’s coming to your door,” Swierz said. “We
expect this will reduce the number of people who are selling items illegally and trying
to pull scams. People are going into the neighborhoods at night with no restrictions and knocking on people’s doors at
all hours.”
The door-to-door sales law restricts such activity to be done between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The law, largely based on the one in Akron, doesn’t apply to religious, political, youth and school organizations, Swierz
said.
Those wanting a license to go door-to-door and to sell outside of buildings must pay $150 per license annually or $50 a
month.
“The picture ID will provide comfort to residents concerned about the legitimacy of those selling in the
neighborhoods,” Swierz said.
The licenses along with a city-issued identification card that includes the salesperson’s picture will be available later this
month at the city’s police department on North Phelps
Street, said Police Chief Jimmy Hughes.
Also, each person getting a license will undergo a basic background check, with convicted felons and those convicted of sex
crimes, child molestation, theft and similar offenses denied approval,
Hughes said.
“I’m not expecting this to be a real burden for the police department,” he said of the licensing and
background checks.
Those found to be operating without a license or going door-to-door during prohibited times could be charged with a third-
degree misdemeanor, and subsequent violations could result in first-degree
misdemeanor charges. The maximum penalty for a third-degree misdemeanor conviction is 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. The
maximum for first- degree is six months in jail and a $1,000
fine.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
skolnick@vindy.com
vindy.combr> http://www.vindy.com
Youngstown, Ohio Read This
Story
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Jeremy L. Albertson
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