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Salesman pleads guilty to 2005 slaying of elderly Lafayette woman Door-to-Door Sales Company: Overachievers December 30, 2008 Salesman pleads guilty to 2005 slaying of elderly Lafayette woman By Malaika Fraley CONTRA COSTA TIMES Posted: 12/30/2008 07:57:27 PM PST Updated: 12/31/2008 06:33:50 AM PST Reach Malaika Fraley at mfraley@bayareanewsgroup.com. CONTRA COSTA TIMES insidebayarea.com Oakland, California Read This Story |
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Warning issued for another door-to-door scam December 30, 2008 Warning issued for another door-to-door scam KRNV News 4 Posted: Dec 30, 2008 03:48 PM CST Updated: Dec 30, 2008 04:03 PM CST The Attorney General Bureau of Consumer Protection: First, if suspicious, ask to see a license or school ID and make sure it matches the paperwork. Secondly, if things don't add up, ask for their information, and relay that to authorities. And lastly, if things simply don't seem right, just say no. An earlier warning was issued in June when solicitors posing as University of Nevada krnv.com Reno, Nevada Read This Story |
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4 Amway Youths Killed in Indiana Crash December 29, 2008 Janesville, Wisconsin Traveling Sales Crew Tragedy Recalled as Amway Youths are Killed in Indiana Crash Posted by quixtarisacult at 3:48 PM Monday, December 29, 2008 Sadly, we must add the names of new victims in like manner to the victims of the Janesville crash. Amway youths, another roadside memorial to a tragedy that did not have to happen on a dangerous road that would have better been left untraveled. Kyle Sporleder, 20, of Sylvania, Ohio Aaron F. Esposito, 23, of Novi, Mich Lauren Diefenthaler, 19, of Ypsilanti, Mich Rodney M. Echelbarger, age unknown, of Holland, Ohio Amway Global promotes a pernicious World cult. They misrepresent their cult business as a success, an incredible reality inverting myth, which makes those who promote it guilty of intent to defraud. The use of outright lies and deceptions and mind numbing cult propaganda intent to deceive youthful adherents into the scheme. The costs can be very high in their pay to play 'closed market swindle' and in the case of these Indiana victims, the price they paid was their lives. If there was no closed market swindle, these deaths most likely would have been avoided. Accidents do indeed occur, but this was one that could have been completely avoided! Posted by quixtarisacult at 3:48 PM quixtarisacultintervention.blogspot.com Read This Story |
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Business partners die in crash Door-to-Door Sales Company: Amway Global December 23, 2008 Business partners die in crash Father: Four killed had been to conference. By ERIN BLASKO Tribune Staff Writer southbendtribune.com Article published Dec 23, 2008 Staff writer Sue Lowe contributed to this report. Staff writer Erin Blasko: eblasko@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6187 southbendtribune.com New Carlisle, Indiana Read This Story |
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Accused Rapist May Be Incompetent To Stand Trial December 19, 2008 Accused rapist may be incompetent to stand trial KSL Television & Radio, Salt Lake City UT (KSL News) December 19th, 2008 @ 10:41am (KSL News) ksl.com Salt Lake City, Utah Read This Story Additional articles on Brian Mask |
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‘Life goes on’ for grandma after abduction and beating December 16, 2008 ‘Life goes on’ for grandma after abduction and beating ‘I have to stay positive’ says 75-year-old left bound in car trunk for 26 hours By Mike Celizic TODAYShow.com contributor MSNBC updated 8:26 a.m. CT, Tues., Dec. 16, 2008 “I told God that,” Vinge, her face still swollen and marked by ugly purple bruises, recalled to TODAY’s Matt Lauer. “Then I asked my late husband, who had just died — I said, ‘Don, tell God [to] help me.’ And he did. That night he helped me. The sheriffs came and they rescued me, because I wouldn’t have lasted long.” Vinge had spent several days in a San Diego hospital, so badly beaten that she couldn’t even speak at first. But by Monday, the spirited woman who loves to dance was feeling well enough to get her hair done, put on a nice dress, and talk to Lauer from her La Mesa, Calif., home with her son, Daniel Allen, at her side. Trust betrayed “I have bruises on my body because they kicked me and hit me and everything,” she told Lauer in an interview that was recorded on Monday and aired Tuesday. Vinge’s ordeal had begun a week earlier on Monday, Dec. 8, when she bought a vacuum cleaner from a door-to-door salesman identified as Jeffrey Edward Nelson, 19. That night, she said, he returned to her home and asked to use the phone. “He said his girlfriend had kicked him [out] and could he use my phone to call his mother,” Vinge told Lauer. An open woman who likes to help anyone she can, she let him in. “I said, ‘Yes, you can,’ so I showed him where the phone was,” Vinge said. “As I turned to walk away, that’s when he choked me from behind.” Vinge lost consciousness, and when she woke up, she was in the trunk area of her Dodge Magnum station wagon, bound with duct tape so she couldn’t move. “They stole me in my own car,” she said. “That was awful.” Two others were in the car with Nelson, she said: another young man identified by police as Luis Lomeli Osborne, 18, and a young woman identified as Antoinette Marie Baker, 18. 26-hour ordeal For the next 26 hours, police say, the three abductors drove around in Vinge’s car, using her credit cards to buy gas and other items. They never offered anything to Vinge, and when she asked for something to drink because she was desperately thirsty, one of the men smashed her in the face with his fist. “I was so taped and bound I couldn’t even move to protect myself,” Vinge told Lauer. “He was driving crazy and I was bouncing all over the place.” Finally, on Tuesday night, a police officer saw the car committing a traffic violation, gave chase, and stopped the car. The officer found Vinge in the back. When the duct tape was removed, it took her skin with it in some places. Nelson, Osborne and Baker were arrested and charged with a number of crimes, including kidnapping and assault. They were arraigned on Friday and are being held on $2 million bail each. The three pleaded not guilty. An in-court television camera zoomed in on Nelson, a muscular young man with buzz-cut hair, and showed him rolling his eyes as the charges against him were read. “This is the most egregious, baffling set of circumstances that I’ve ever come across,” Deputy District Attorney Paul Greenwood told reporters. “It’s hard to believe someone would do that,” Daniel Allen told Lauer. “For what, some credit card charges, a few bucks and a bottle of booze? It just doesn’t make any sense.” Life goes on Vinge has three children, including Allen, and two grandchildren. Allen is staying with her as she recovers. He told Lauer it’s not easy to control his anger at what happened to a woman as sweet and beloved as his mother. “I’m holding it together because my job right now is to take care of my mom,” Allen said. “I didn’t go to the court, because I didn’t want to be the guy climbing over the fence trying to get to the guy, especially with their attitude being it was no big deal.” It’s hard for him to look at his mother’s bruised and battered face. “But when she talks, it’s my mom behind it all,” he told Lauer. “It’s very comforting that she’s the same sweet, loving person that loves everybody and her home is open to everybody. That’s probably how this all came about, that she became an easy target because she’s an open door.” Although she can’t understand why she was attacked, Vinge is determined to get back to her active and busy life. “There’s nothing I can do about what happened,” she said. “I have to be positive, because life goes on.” Lauer asked Vinge if she would be letting any more strangers into her home. “No, I don’t think so,” she said with a big smile. “There’s not that many people out there like this. I’ll probably be afraid — even now, when the doorbell rings, I get a little scared even [though] I have my big old boy with me. I don’t think I’ll do that again, Matt.” Lauer wished Vinge a happy holiday and told her to take care of herself. She smiled and offered Lauer some grandmotherly advice of her own: “You take care of you, too, Matt. Don’t you let strangers in.” TODAYShow.com contributor MSNBC msnbc.msn.com Read This Story |
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Magazine Salesman Arrested On Suspicion Of Burglary December 12, 2008 Suspected burglar says he was just selling magazines From staff reports VenturaCountyStar Originally published 04:01 p.m., December 12, 2008 Updated 04:01 p.m., December 12, 2008 VenturaCountyStar venturacountystar.com Camarillo, California Read This Story |
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Police rescue kidnap victim, 75, after two-day ordeal December 10, 2008 Police rescue kidnap victim, 75, after two-day ordeal By Debbi Baker UNION-TRIBUNE BREAKING NEWS TEAM signonsandiego.com 2:45 p.m. December 10, 2008 ------------------------ Debbi Baker: (619) 293-1710; debbi.baker@uniontrib.com UNION-TRIBUNE BREAKING NEWS TEAM signonsandiego.com Read This Story |
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Cardiff cold shoulders commission-based companies Door-to-Door Sales Company: Southwestern Company December 6, 2008 Cardiff cold shoulders commission-based companies by Cristofer Lloyd Gair Rhydd Issue 885 December 6, 2008 Gair Rhydd gairrhydd.com Cardiff University, UK Read This Story |
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Magazine Salesman Arrested December 3, 2008 Police collar area burglary suspect By J.B. Wogan Sammamish Review December 3, 2008 “We need to know what’s going on. If you don’t tell us, we don’t know,” Albright said. “Deep down inside, you really want these guys to reform.” – Colleen Patterson, Sammamish resident – Reporter J.B. Wogan can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 247, or jbwogan@isspress.com. Sammamish Review sammamishreview.com Issaquah, Washington Read This Story |
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Magaizine Salesman Attacks Customer Lone Star Subscriptions November 14, 2008 Door-to-door magazine salesman attacks Clay County customer who refused to purchase a subscription Posted: Friday, November 14th, 2008 at 12:50 pm By: Matt Coleman JACKSONVILLE.COM Matt Coleman JACKSONVILLE.COM jacksonville.com Jacksonville, Florida Read This Story |
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Judge refuses to toss murder case Door-to-Door Sales Company: Integrity Program November 13, 2008 Judge refuses to toss murder case By: Eyewitness News 4 KOB.com Posted at: 11/13/2008 01:07:39 PM kob.com Albuquerque, New Mexico Read This Story |
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DSA - Not what it appears to be November 9, 2008 DSA - Not what it appears to be ARE ALL INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS GOOD FOR DISTRIBUTORS? by Dr. Keith B. Laggos Sunday, November 9, 2008 ARE ALL INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS GOOD FOR DISTRIBUTORS? You would think they should be. After all, isn’t the direct sales and network marketing industry built on the backs of distributors? If you continue to read this “Publisher’s Perspective” you may have a rude awakening. Why? All industry associations are not built the same. They were created by different segments of the industry with different interests. There are four main associations that serve the direct sales and network marketing industry. They are: Distributor Rights Association (DRA); Direct Selling Association (DSA); Direct Selling Women’s Alliance (DSWA); and the Multi-Level Marketing International Association (MLMIA). I will discuss them in the order that they’re listed in above – alphabetical. DSA is oldest but is it best? The DSA is the oldest and best-financed association. Although with less than 10 percent of the industry companies as the only voting members, it has the fewest voting members. It was founded in 1910. About 15 years ago, it almost went bankrupt. Amway, and a few other large companies, helped save the DSA. Dues Start at $1,500 for new companies and quickly rise based on net sales for the previous year to as much as $250,000. Supplier companies pay a rate of $2,500. By the time the large companies pay fees for various committees, the DSEF, sponsorships and donations, they can easily spend more than a million dollars a year with the DSA. The DSA is a private, non-profit corporation. What does that mean? When I asked Joe Mariano, the DSA’s executive vice president, who owns the DSA, he said, “Member companies own the DSA.” I asked, “Do all member companies own the DSA equally or are they prorated in amount of dues? He replied, as you can expect a lawyer would, “All the companies that own the DSA are member companies.” So who own the DSA? Do your own research. Don’t be surprised to find the same large companies heading the important committees year after year are the same ones that contribute the majority of the total funds and receive most of the awards. Only direct sales companies can be voting members of the DSA. Its members include about a dozen large direct sales and network marketing companies that virtually control it and a couple of dozen mid-sized companies. The balance of the DSA voting membership consists of mainly small party plan companies. The DSA also accepts dues from vendors, who have no votes or virtually no say, but distributors cannot be members at all. Who’s interest do you think the DSA has in mind? Vendors? Distributors? Anyone but the few large controlling companies? Do you think the DSA even represents the interest of the small corporate members or are these small corporate members just being used to give the DSA and large corporate members the appearance of legitimately representing the industry? Do you think the DSA cares at all about distributors other than as assets of companies? Consider the following. I have never heard the DSA consider one distributor issue out of concern for distributors. Any policy that seems to protect the distributors has been a result of trying to protect the companies, usually from over regulation. When the NSA company came under fire for “front-end loading,” the DSA implemented a 90-day buy-back rule. It may help protect distributors now, but if it was not for the threat of corporate regulation, do you think that the DSA would have implemented the 90-day buy-back rule? Consider what the DSA has done over the years. It has held training sessions teaching companies how to write policies so that distributors do not have any rights. These include clauses that give companies the right to terminate distributors without cause and to define the distributor’s entire business to be the sole property of the company. It has advised companies to control the ability of distributors to sell their businesses or forbid passing their businesses to their heirs. At an annual conference, in a speech by Neil Offen, the DSA’s president, he talked of the need to stop distributor associations. He said it may become necessary for the DSA to start its own distributor association so that it can continue to control the distributors. NMBJ and MMM have reported on these events in past issues. Recently a top DSA executive was named as an expert witness to defend a company who, without a written policy on the issue, had taken a distributor’s business away. This distributor had been numerously recognized for her high performance and support of her downline. The company also allowed cross-sponsoring and downline raids of cross downlines. Is the DSA defending these actions because, under the DSA’s apparent policies, a company can do whatever it wants with a distributor’s business, since the DSA believes the company owns it? Why would any distributor want to be a member of a company that belongs to the DSA? If your company does, what should you do? I cannot tell you to ask your company to resign or petition them to resign. I cannot suggest that if the company remains a member, that you should move your business to a non-member company. But ask yourself, why would your company belong to an association that does not represent or seems to not even respect distributors’ rights and not be members of the other three associations that protect distributor rights? Why would you want to join a company that does not support distributor rights? Thank goodness, Jewels by Park Lane is NOT a member of the DSA! Julia Posted by Julia Moore at 7:54 PM Labels: DSA - Not what it appears to be Posted by Julia Moore at 7:54 PM smartwomenandjewelry.blogspot.com Read This Story |
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Police searching for former magazine salesman November 9, 2008 Police searching for former magazine salesman WGMD 92.7 The Talk Of Delmarva Sunday, 09 November 2008 Lewes, Delaware Read This Story |
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Murder suspects seek dismissal of charges Door-to-Door Sales Company: Integrity Program November 6, 2008 Murder suspects seek dismissal of charges By: Eyewitness News 4 KOB.com Posted at: 11/06/2008 04:06:09 PM Updated at: 11/06/2008 05:00:24 PM Van Phillips testifies in court Thursday. He says he was with the suspects the day of the murders Two magazine salesmen accused of double murder asked a judge to dismiss charges Thursday after presenting an alibi and arguing that another man has already confessed to the murders. Travis Rowley and Michael Lee have been locked up since December charged with murdering an elderly Korean couple. Then came a bombshell—an ex-con named Clifton Bloomfield admitted to the couple's murder along with several others. Still, the prosecution is not ready to drop the murder charges against the two. Rowley and Lee claim they were nowhere near the murder scene Monday, Dec. 3, 2007. In court Thursday, a man who drove the magazine salesmen around their route testified the suspects were never out of his sight for more than two hours. The defense said in the time Rowley and Lee were out of their driver's sight, they have receipts to show they were selling magazines eight miles away from the murder scene. The man who confessed to the couple's murder was sentenced in October. Bloomfield is serving 195 years in prison for five total murders he committed between 2005 and 2008. Prosecutors say at least two of the murders may have gone unsolved had Bloomfield not confessed. kob.com Albuquerque, New Mexico Read This Story |
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Dexter upends Moulton November 5, 2008 Dexter upends Moulton By Julian Emerson Leader-Telegram staff Leader-Telegram Updated: 11/5/2008 12:37:01 AM Dexter tallied 15,434 votes to Moulton's 15,159, narrowly winning an oftentimes bitter campaign marked by unprecedented advertising by outside organizations for an Assembly district race in this part of the state. "We've been sweating it out for hours," Dexter said minutes after learning she'd won. "This is very sweet." The contest's outcome remained in doubt throughout the night as Moulton carried Chippewa County by a 56 to 44 percent margin, tallying 4,955 votes to Dexter's 3,870. There were several lead changes throughout the evening. Moulton led early in the night as Chippewa County vote totals were reported more quickly than those in Eau Claire County. Moulton grabbed an early lead in Eau Claire County as well, but Dexter's vote total surged as more numbers were reported. Moulton then grabbed a late lead before Dexter won the last two precincts. Moulton was predicted to carry Chippewa County, where he makes his home and operates Mouldy's Archery and Tackle, his fishing and hunting store. Likewise, Dexter, an Altoona school board member from 2000-06, was expected to carry the vote in her home town. The contest between Dexter and Moulton was among the most-watched - and most bitterly contested - among Wisconsin's Assembly races. Democrats viewed Moulton as vulnerable to defeat and targeted him in an effort to win at least two Assembly seats to even the Democrat-Republican Assembly membership at 49 apiece. The contest attracted unprecedented spending by outside organizations for an Assembly race in this region, resulting in a blitz of negative advertising portraying Dexter as a liberal spender and Moulton as ineffective. Dexter attributed her win to "pure, hard work." "I'm elated. I'm very grateful. Her top priority: "Working together to make the changes the people have said they're waiting for." Leader-Telegram staff Leader-Telegram Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Wisconsin Read This Story |
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Magazine Sales Scam Alert !!! Door-to-Door Sales Company: United Family Circulation October 30, 2008 Scam Homeowners Should Avoid NewsChannel5.com Posted: Oct 30, 2008 09:41 PM CDT Hendersonville, Tenneessee Read This Story |
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Exactly Who is Terry Moulton Working for? October 29, 2008 Exactly Who is Terry Moulton Working for? Post from Cory Liebmann's Blog: By Cory @ One Wisconsin Now - Oct 29th, 2008 at 5:14 pm EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org By Cory @ One Wisconsin Now Madison, Wisconsin Read This Story |
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Wis. father rips lawmaker on sales bill October 28, 2008 Wis. father rips lawmaker on sales bill By TODD RICHMOND Associated Press Writer Associated Press Wisconsin Wire wcco.com October 28, 2008 The accusations come a week before the Republican lawmaker, state Rep. Terry Moulton of Eau Claire, faces re-election against Democratic challenger Kristen Dexter in a race Democrats targeted. Moulton roundly denied the charges, questioning their timing. Campaign finance reports show Moulton, chairman of the Assembly Small Business Committee, recorded $1,000 in June from three executives of Southwestern Company, the only company registered against the measure. The money came after Moulton's committee failed to vote on the bill earlier this year. The measure passed the state Senate 28-5 in April 2007. Moulton said the bill would have hurt small businesses. A spokesman for Southwestern Company, a Nashville, Tenn.-based company that employs college students as salesmen, had no immediate comment. Asked why the company gave him the money, Moulton replied: ''Why does anyone give a candidate money? They give money to people who have the judgment to uphold the same kind of ideals and philosophy they do.'' Phil Ellenbecker of Verona has pushed for tighter regulation of traveling sales crews since his 18-year-old daughter, Malinda Turvey, and six other members of a traveling sales crew died in a van crash near Janesville in 1999. Ellenbecker and One Wisconsin Now, a liberal political group, have been researching Moulton's campaign contributions for several weeks. ''I'm up in arms against Terry Moulton. I'll do anything in the world to make sure he doesn't get re-elected,'' Ellenbecker said. ''He has ignored his responsibility as a representative.'' Moulton said he ''worked my butt off'' on a compromise, but the bill's original author, state Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Middleton, wouldn't have it. Erpenbach said Moulton worked hard for Southwestern. Associated Press Wisconsin Wire wcco.com Madison, Wisconsin Read This Story |
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October 27, 2008 Political Info Clip Editorial Wisconsin 68th District Voters Beware Dedicated Memorial Parents Group Posted: October 27, 2008 In so doing Terry Moulton has sided with an out-of-state special interest group and has blatantly ignored his primary responsibility as a Wisconsin State Representative. Terry Moulton has chosen to protect the business interests of the Southwestern Company over the safety and well being of Wisconsin kids and homeowners. Terry Moulton should be stripped of the privilege and the right to represent Wisconsin citizens. Because Terry Moulton likes the Southwestern Company so much maybe he should get a job with them selling bibles door-to-door and stop pretending that he represents the best interests of the 68th district. 2008 Southwestern Company Contributions to Representative Terry Moulton: Henry Bedford, June 28, 2008, Franklin TN 37064: $250.00 Spencer Hays, June 28, 2008, Nashville TN 37230: $500.00 Daniel W. Moore, June 28, 2008, Brentwood TN 37027: $250.00 Wisconsin Democracy Campaign Website: http://wisdc.org Wisconsin Cooperative Campaign Finance Database: http://www.opensecrets.org/wdc/employerdetail.php?name=Southwestern+Co Research: Southwestern Company/DSA: Southwestern Company/DSA Wisconsin Legislation 2007: SB-80 www.dedicatedmemorial.org www.travelingsalescrews.info Verona, Wisconsin |
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Solicitor Gropes Woman Posted October 27, 2008 Solicitor Gropes Woman Overland Park Woman Reports Being Touched Inappropriately KCTV5 POSTED: 5:40 pm CDT October 27, 2008 UPDATED: 7:03 pm CDT October 27, 2008 kctv5.com Kansas City, Missouri Read This Story |
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Cons of soliciting Posted October 27, 2008 Cons of soliciting Deena Davis The Dakota Student Board of Student Publications and the University of North Dakota Issue date: 10/28/08 Section: Opinion Everyone in my apartment complex has to deal with magazine peddlers every few months. In fact we have a phone tree set up to let others know when they're coming so everyone can prepare themselves or refuse to open the door. Now they're not as cunning as some of the creepy phone marketers but some day with the right training, they just may be the one to scam you out of your life savings. Their techniques are already shady for being so young. Some have claimed to be in high school while others never mentioned their affiliations. It's like a scene from A Clockwork Orange. The one when the protagonist Alex breaks into an woman's place and answers her question of why he is there by stating "To be perfectly honest, madam, I'm taking part in an international students' contest to see who can get the most points selling magazines," Illustrating the pushiness of magazine peddlers. They are a few steps away from taking their next customer hostage in their own home. To prove my point, one year I had a young man mumble at me about looking for someone. At that point I had a roommate who liked to party. So I look over and call for her all the while he managed to slide in the door and goes on a spiel about his magazines. But oh no, it gets worst. A year later one guy somehow managed to not only get past my threshold but makes himself at home and begins looking through my mail on the coffee table to get information for his for magazine form! I don't care where you're from but it's NOT acceptable behavior. Come on, there is a large red sign on my entrance door that states "NO SOLICITING!" In layman's terms, don't come around here with selling magazines on your mind. The words "no" may have to be repeated several times before they give up and prey on their next consumer victim. These people have toed the line when it comes to selling their "product" but the whole barging into someone's home is more than crossing the line. If the item is good it will sell itself not the other way around. I've known people who have had these seedy salesmen go so far as to jump into their car. The said person agreed to subscribe to their $90 magazine subscription in order to get them out. A day later she canceled the check at her bank. I should have done the same thing but ended up out a hundred bucks with no magazines. This made me start to contemplate why this blatant sign of saying "kiss off" in front of buildings do not make these people falter before they pound at your door. I have come up with the reason behind my concern about pushy sellers is either one of two things. One, it might just be a change from country life when saying no thank you does not come with a rebuttal. Or two, the people are becoming too desperate or confident in their selling techniques. Either way, I'm not buying. I live by the phrase, when it comes to shopping; don't call on me, I'll call on you. The Dakota Student Board of Student Publications and the University of North Dakota media.www.dakotastudent.com North Dakota Read This Story |
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Magazine Salesman Jailed For Alleged Robbery Door-to-Door Sales Company: Fresh Start Opportunities Website: FRESH START OPPORTUNITIES 93 S. JACKSON ST. SUITE 8135 SEATTLE , WA 98104 ph: 866-496-8118 October 25, 2008 Magazine salesman allegedly hits woman, steals her purse Herald staff HeraldNet.com Published: Saturday, October 25, 2008 HeraldNet.com heraldnet.com Everett, Washington Read This Story |
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Door-to-Door Candy Sales Attempted Assault October 21, 2008 Candy salesman exposed himself to grandmother Attempted Assault A woman just trying to be kind to a teen selling door-to-door became a victim KTRK-TV Eyewitness TV ABC 13 By Laura Whitley Tuesday, October 21, 2008 | 6:09 PM ABC 13 By Laura Whitley abclocal.go.com Read This Story |
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Community Responses To Sexual Assault Read Story October 2008 Village Spokesman October 2008 Door-to-Door Solicitation Please note that issuance of a permit does not constitute an endorsement of these organizations, their products or services by the Village. Solicitors may only operate in the Village of La Grange as specified below: - No soliciting shall take place on Sundays. - No soliciting shall exceed a maximum of 15 days in any 12-month period. - Soliciting is permitted between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays. - All solicitors must register at the Police Department each day of soliciting. - For-profit approved solicitors are issued a permit badge to be worn while soliciting door-to-door. - Not-for-profit agencies are issued a letter of approval by the Village and that letter should be on hand while soliciting. Religious, charitable, school, educational, veterans or governmental organizations are exempt from this procedure by state law. Handbills and advertisements that are left on doorsteps in residential areas do not require a solicitors permit. These regulations are in place for the protection of the community. If you are suspicious about persons soliciting, don't be afraid to ask to see their solicitors permit or contact the Police Department at 708-579-2333 or the Village Clerks office at 708-579-2316 to verify that the person is engaging in a permitted activity. The La Grange Police Department does maintain a No Solicitation list of residential addresses that is given to the solicitor upon registration. To be placed on the list and receive a no-soliciting sticker to place on or near the main entrance of your property, please contact the Village Clerks office at 708-579-2316. Village of LaGrange villageoflagrange.com La Grange, Illinois Read This Story |
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Wooden Horse Publishing Newsletter October 19, 2008 THE WOODEN HORSE MAGAZINE NEWS October 19, 2008 By Meg Weaver, Editor-in-Chief/Publisher, mweaver@woodenhorsepub.com Lisa Romeo, Senior Editor Michelle Hutchinson, News Editor Maria Connor, News Assistant http://www.woodenhorsepub.com Copyright (c) 2008 Wooden Horse Publishing * indicates magazines in the Wooden Horse Magazines Database - the media directory that's more like a magazine factbook ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dear readers, Read this newsletter at your own risk. It may cause major depression. News from the magazine industry is so gloomy that Hearst not only closed COSMOGIRL* but the company-wide holiday party is cancelled. We've reported the heart-fibrillating statistics here throughout this year, so we won't repeat them. But here's a different take: MediaPost's Mag Bag on Oct 16 posted "Insiders See More Closures In 2008-09" which begins: "The coming year will see a wave of magazine closures, according to executives from several big magazine groups, who spoke off the record about the prospects of the magazine business." The executives go on to name several magazines they see ready to fold: ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY* KIPLINGER'S PERSONAL FINANCE* SMARTMONEY* MEN'S VOGUE* TEEN VOGUE* NICKELODEON* NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC FOR KIDS* SPORTS ILLUSTRATED FOR KIDS*. Read the whole article at http://tiny.cc/P2D5K And then there is this: "On top of all its other current woes, the US magazine business needs to be worried about a consumer backlash against paper-based publishing products. That was the message delivered to last week's American Magazine Conference by Canadian Forest Products Association President Avrim Lazar. He predicted that environmentally-minded Americans will increasingly focus on the connection between the paper-making industry and the problem of global climate change." Check out the Oct 14, 2008 three minute video from "3 Minute Ad Age" at http://tiny.cc/JSt9d Meg Weaver, Editor-in-Chief/Publisher, mweaver@woodenhorsepub.com woodenhorsepub.com Read This Story |
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Magazine Salesman Arrested On Check Theft October 16, 2008 Blotter: Missing check found in salesman’s pocket By Donna Fielder / Staff Writer The Denton Record Chronicle 08:33 AM CDT on Thursday, October 16, 2008 The Denton Record Chronicle dentonrc.com Denton, Texas Read This Story |
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Beware: Door to Door Magazine Sales Scam !!! October 15, 2008 Janesville Police Warn Of Magazine Sales Scheme Police: Sellers Claim To Be Fundraising Channel 3000 News WISC-TV CBS UPDATED: 7:19 pm CDT October 15, 2008 It was brought to the attention of the Janesville police by a neighborhood watch group over the past few days. The watch group felt something wasn't right. Police said the salesmen are young, possibly right out of high school or entering college, and have been telling residents they're from the neighborhood, WISC-TV reported. The salesmen say they're raising money for a trip to Europe or for school by selling magazines, and even offering to wash cars. However, after making contact with a few of these salesmen Wednesday afternoon, police found they're from out of state. Police also feel the story used to rope in customers may be untrue. Technically, they're not doing anything illegal in Janesville because solicitors don't need licenses to sell magazines in the city. Still, police are urging residents to be wary. "It might show up that these people might get their magazines. But what we're seeing is, the articles and papers we've been investigating and looking up on the Internet, people are not getting their products, which makes it a crime at that point," said officer Chad Sullivan of the Janesville Police Department. City officials are asking that all of these salesmen register themselves and their vehicles through the city. Police said if someone knocks on your door to sell you a product, ask for identification and ask for more information on the product and company. Officers will continue to monitor the current group of salesmen while they're in town. WISCTV CBS channel3000.com Madison, Wisconsin Read This Story |
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Magazine Sales Agent Kidnapped October 12, 2008 Car Crash Leads Police To Kidnapping Suspect KGTV 10news.com POSTED: 9:43 am PDT October 12, 2008 UPDATED: 9:48 am PDT October 12, 2008 10news.com San Diego, California Read This Story |
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Madison, Wisconsin Civil Lawsuit Settled Against Door-To-Door Magazine Sales Company A civil lawsuit filed against Vincent Pitts, president of the National Field Selling Association and owner of Palmetto Marketing/Sunshine Subscription Agency was settled for $600,000.00 on October 1, 2008. The lawsuit stems from the violent assault and rape of a 50-year-old Menomonie, Wisconsin woman committed by Brandon Green a traveling door-to-door magazine salesman. Madison, Wisconin lawfirm Lawton and Cates attorneys Jim Olson and John Carlson Jr. were instrumental in bringing justice to the victim. Lawton And Cates Website For detailed information on this crime and the lawsuit please review the following links: Court Orders/Criminal Complaint |
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Door-to-Door Book/Magazine Scam !!! Door-to-Door Sales Crew: Dynasty Sales Door-to-Door Sales Companys: Integrity Sales Integrity Program Prestige Sales USA October 10, 2008 Children's book scam hits DeKalb and Sycamore By ALAN EDRINN The Northern Star Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Ill. October 10,2008 The Northern Star Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Ill. northernstar.info DeKalb, Illinois Read This Story |
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Door-to-Door Magazine Sales Fraud !!! Door-to-Door Sales Company: Atlantic Circulation Inc. October 8, 2008 Ivy Tech warns about magazine salesman Tribune Staff Report South Bend Tribune October 08. 2008 10:52AM southbendtribune.com South Bend, Indiania Read This Story |
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Houston Company Gets Sued Over Alleged Magazine-Subscription Scam Magazine Sales Companys: mags4cheap.com Creative One October 8, 2008 Houston Company Gets Sued Over Alleged Magazine-Subscription Scam Chris Vogel Houston Press Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 11:51:43 AM The website offers sensational discounts on almost every major magazine title. Some, however, say the deal is far too good to be true. According to a complaint filed with the Houston chapter of the Better Business Bureau, Cappuzzo ordered the National Enquirer in May 2007. She says her credit card was billed immediately, and though she repeatedly called the company asking where her magazine was, she never received an issue. “First I was told that the subscription didn’t go through,” she says. “Then I was told that the magazine company did not receive the money, then they lost the order. I’ve pretty much written off the money or the magazine. This company needs to be stopped.” Cappuzzo is hardly alone. The BBB says its received 721 complaints in the past 36 months. And now a company that publishes several of the magazines that are not being delivered to customers are taking a swing at the local subscription company. American Media Inc., which publishes top-selling magazines such as the National Enquirer, Men’s Fitness, Shape, Globe and Mira, has filed a lawsuit in Houston federal court against Creative One and at least two of its officers, David Shaw and Brandon Fallon, both of Houston. American Media claims that Creative One does not have the authority to sell or collect fees for subscriptions to its magazines. The publishing company claims it told Creative One this summer to stop soliciting subscriptions to AMI titles, but that Creative One has ignored its request. Indeed as of today, consumers can still order AMI publications at mags4cheap.com. When Hair Balls called Creative One this morning asking for comment on the pending lawsuit, the man who answered the phone immediately hung up. AMI claims in the lawsuit that it learned Creative One was taking payments for subscriptions and then simply doing nothing, thus leaving the subscription unfilled. When angry consumers called Creative One to complain, they were falsely told the issue was with the publisher. Robert Dickenson of Kennewick, WA is in the same boat as Cappuzzo. He says he ordered several magazines off of the website and never got a single one. “For a year now I have contacted then a dozen times and they promised a refund by check,” he tells the BBB. “Every time I contact them they give me the run around. They aren’t going to give my money back and it seems like there is nothing I can do about it. I was robbed and know who the robber is but can do nothing.” Perhaps when the dust settles, this lawsuit can pave the way for consumers like Dickenson and Cappuzzo to seek justice themselves. -- Chris Vogel Houston Press Houston, Texas blogs.houstonpress.com Read This Story |
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Man pleads not guilty to sexual assault Door-to-Door Sales Company: Midwest Clearing, Inc. October 6, 2008 Updated 10/6: Man pleads not guilty to sexual assault Sun-Times News Group October 6, 2008 -- Sun-Times News Group La Grange Suburban Life mysuburbanlife.com La Grange, Illinois Read This Story |
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Door-To-Door Magazine Sales Scam Alert !!! October 4, 2008 Scam Alert: Con Artists Posing as Students Reported by: Kevin Holmes EyewitnessNews ABC24 CW30 Email: kholmes@myeyewitnessnews.com Last Update: 10/04 10:25 pm Door to door salesman are posing as college students...hoping to rip you off. The crooks have already approached several people in Midtown Memphis. Some say the sales pitch sounds legit. A group of young people are going door to door posing as students at the University of Memphis, selling magazines for a trip to Europe. But we checked with the University, and there is no trip, and the salesmen aren't even students. Miriam Handorf was approached by these so called salesmen. Their pitch - "I'm a student at Memphis and we have a debate team that's trying to go to London." It's just not a fair presentation." Nor is it an accurate one according to the University of Memphis. Handorf says "another couple in the neighborhood actually opened their door and were questioning the person and it happened to be a U of M professor, and knowing the school's policy is not to solicit, he was pretty hot under the collar about how his school was being presented." Nancy Crawford with the Better Business Bureau isn't surprised. "Door to door magazine sales are notorious for these things. We just encourage people to always check out a business with the BBB, especially if they're going door to door." Handorf checked with the BBB and in this case, she also checked with her neighbors. The Central Gardens Neighborhood Watch Association has more than 100 members. When something is going on they get an email. "Communication is key. We have to know where the vulnerabilities are in order to stay protected." Handorf was not ripped off, but says the crooks could target another neighborhood in the future. "The adage, buyer beware needs to be flipped around. Seller beware, because we are prepared for you. We know you're out there and we hope you'll find a better resource in making your money." Ways to Protect Yourself from Door to Door Con Artists: Always check for identification. The salesman should have a Vendor I.D. Don't hesitate to ask for supervisor or coordinators contact information. You can always ask the salesman to put info in your mailbox, and the Better Business Bureau says if you don't feel comfortable or don't want to be bothered, don't even answer the door. Email: kholmes@myeyewitnessnews.com EyewitnessNews ABC24 CW30 myeyewitnessnews.com Memphis, Tennessee Read This Story |
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Police look at suspect in 6 murders Door-to-Door Sales Company: Integrity Program October 3, 2008 Police look at suspect in 6 murders KOB.com By: Kayla Anderson, Eyewitness News 4, and Reed Upton, KOB.com KOB Eyewitness News 4 Posted at: 10/03/2008 12:30:02 PM Updated at: 10/03/2008 06:19:19 PM KOB Eyewitness News 4 kob.com Albuquerque, New Mexico Read This Story |
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New Suspect in Yi Killings Door-to-Door Sales Company: Integrity Program October 3, 2008 New Suspect in Yi Killings By T.J. Wilham Journal Staff Writer Albuquerque Journal Online Edition ABQjournal.com Friday, October 03, 2008 All the victims were killed in their homes. In addition to the newlywed and the elderly Korean couple, they include a retired elementary school teacher and an interior designer. It appears that detectives are prepared to charge Clifton Bloomfield, 39, in the 2007 deaths of Tak and Pung Yi. There were signs that the couple had been savagely beaten and that Mrs. Yi had been sexually assaulted. Two traveling magazine salesmen — Travis Rowley and Michael Lee — have already been charged in the Yi deaths. Bloomfield became a suspect in the Yi killings earlier this summer when forensic scientists were going through evidence in the double homicide. Detectives entered DNA collected from one of the Yis into a national database and got a match to Bloomfield, whose DNA was on file in a federal database from a previous conviction. Police officials confirmed the DNA link. The Journal has also learned that police are looking into Bloomfield's possible involvement in at least three more homicides: the 2005 killings of Josephine Selvage and Carlos Esquibel and the 2004 death of Emery Julian. Charging Bloomfield in the Yi and other cases could be a political lightning rod. Bloomfield was on probation after an armed robbery plea at the time of the Yi killings and the death of newlywed Scott Pierce. Mayor Martin Chávez had cited Bloomfield as an example when he held a news conference in July criticizing judges for sentencing repeat offenders to probation and letting them out on what he called low bonds. Police officials said they have no plans to drop charges against Rowley and Lee. But Rowley's attorney has filed a lawsuit against APD and the District Attorney's Office claiming they withheld evidence, including DNA evidence against a suspect who isn't named in the suit. That suspect is Bloomfield, who was arrested in June in connection with the death of Pierce, a nurse who had just moved into a home on Hannett NE with his wife a month earlier. That deadly attack appears to have been a mistaken identity revenge killing. According to court records, Bloomfield, 39, and Jason Skaggs, 35, intended to kill another man who had lived in the home before Pierce and his wife moved in. In the other unsolved cases: Emery Julian, 39, was found dead with a bullet wound to his head in his Chelwood Park NE apartment in October 2004. Esquibel and Selvage were strangled inside their homes three days apart in October 2005. Esquibel was a 37-year-old interior designer and Selvage was an 81-year-old retired elementary school teacher. Police are still testing DNA taken from Selvage's home. At the time of the killings, police said they didn't believe the Esquibel and Selvage slayings were related. Election politics District Attorney Kari Brandenburg said Thursday that she believed Bloomfield was involved in the Yi killings along with Rowley and Lee, but declined further comment. "It would jeopardize the ongoing investigation if I comment at this time," Brandenburg said. "There has been no (plea) agreement reached at this time, and it would be inappropriate for me to do so with the investigation." Meanwhile, Rowley's attorney, Stephen Aarons, learned of the DNA match in the Yi case and filed a motion last month to have the charges against his client dismissed. That motion has since been sealed by District Court Judge Reed Sheppard, who is presiding over the cases against Rowley and Lee. Brandenburg's challenger in the Nov. 4 election, Lisa Torraco, has criticized Brandenburg about how she has handled repeat offenders. One of the examples she has cited was Bloomfield, who was on probation for armed robbery at the time he was arrested in connection with the killing of Scott Pierce. Bloomfield was also on probation at the time the Yis were killed. "I am doing my job, and I am sorry I am running for re-election," Brandenburg said in response to Torraco's criticism. "It is critical we handle the case and do the right things for the right reasons, and the election has nothing to do with that." No stranger Bloomfield, who was earlier described by police as someone with links to white supremacist groups, is no stranger to law enforcement. In July 2007, he pleaded no contest to robbery with a deadly weapon in connection to the Nov. 29, 2005, home invasion robbery of Edwin and Rupe Garcia. The plea deal set a maximum of three years of prison. District Court Judge Albert S. "Pat" Murdoch sentenced Bloomfield to four years' probation and 201 days of community custody, which is similar to house arrest. Bloomfield was given "good time" credit and was released from community custody 100 days early. Had he not been given credit, he would have been in the community custody program when the Yis were killed. Brandenburg said her office agreed to the plea deal because prosecutors didn't have enough evidence and would likely have lost at trial. At the time of the arrest, police said they had several tips and good victim identification. However, Brandenburg said testimony by the elderly victims would not have held up in court. "We had no witnesses, no fingerprints and no DNA," Brandenburg said. "It was that (the plea) or nothing." According to court documents, Bloomfield apparently gained entrance to the Garcias' home, which was listed for sale, by posing as a potential buyer. He took a tour of the home, took out a handgun and held it to the husband's neck, then ordered the couple into a storage room and took their wedding ring and other jewelry and valuables along with $140 in cash, according to court records. Police have said that Bloomfield has an extensive criminal history in Arizona, where he did prison time. He has multiple arrests in Arizona for burglary, armed robbery, kidnapping, aggravated assault on a correction officer and theft by control. Journal Staff Writer Albuquerque Journal Online Edition ABQjournal.com Albuquerque, New Mexico Read This Story You can also read this story here: Scott Pierce Fund Blog Read This Story |
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Madison, Wisconsin Civil Lawsuit Settled Against Door-To-Door Magazine Sales Company A civil lawsuit filed against Vincent Pitts, president of the National Field Selling Association and owner of Palmetto Marketing/Sunshine Subscription Agency was settled for $600,000.00 on October 1, 2008. The lawsuit stems from the violent assault and rape of a 50-year-old Menomonie, Wisconsin woman committed by Brandon Green a traveling door-to-door magazine salesman. Madison, Wisconin lawfirm Lawton and Cates attorneys Jim Olson and John Carlson Jr. were instrumental in bringing justice to the victim. Lawton And Cates Website For detailed information on this crime and the lawsuit please review the following links: Court Orders/Criminal Complaint |
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October 1, 2008 Don’t bother knocking: Council discusses No Knock ordinance By Rob Barry/rbarry@cnc.com Wicked Local Medford Medford Transcript Wed Oct 01, 2008, 09:00 AM EDT Keeping telemarketers off the phone has been easier than keeping them off the doorstep. But city officials have a plan to stop bothersome solicitors. The City Council is expected to review an ordinance this week that would set up a “No Knock” registry similar to the national Do Not Call Registry. The legislation, sponsored by Councilor Michael Marks, would place restrictions on door-to-door soliciting. “I was reading online regarding a murder that took place in New Jersey,” said Marks. “That prompted a lot of cities in other states to enact a no knock registry to try to prevent people from praying on the elderly through these door-to-door sales.” In response to a resolution approved by the council over the summer, City Solicitor Mark Rumley crafted an ordinance that would create a local registry. According to the proposed two-page ordinance, any person wishing to peddle their wares at the doorstep would have to obtain a license and pick up a copy of the registry. There is a background check involved in obtaining a peddler’s license. Anyone who attempts to solicit an address on the registry will face a fine of up to $300, a one-year license revocation and a one-year suspension of all door-to-door soliciting. “I was looking for two things, simplicity and effectiveness,” Rumley said. “I think this draft does both those things. I also wanted to protect the First Amendment concerns.” The ordinance, Rumley said, would not prevent charitable or religious groups from soliciting. A similar resolution passed recently in Claremont, Calif. Capt. Gary Jenkins, of the Claremont Police Department, said it was necessary to protect the townspeople. “In December of 2006, we had a rape that was committed by a magazine solicitor,” said Jenkins. “Then a year later, in December of 2007, we had similar incident with a traveling magazine salesman.” At the time, Jenkins said the town’s solicitation ordinance was in need of review for being “unconstitutionally broad.” So the police drafted an ordinance that would create a registry and add a background check for peddlers and penalties for ignoring the registry. In Claremont it now costs $300 just to apply for a commercial solicitation permit that will expire in 90 days. Religious and political groups are not subject to the permit or the registry. “So far, we haven’t had a commercial solicitor apply for a permit,” said Jenkins. “Basically this has acted as a preventative measure.” As of Tuesday, the City Council was scheduled to discuss the ordinance in a Committee of the Whole meeting, with Chief Leo A. Sacco Jr., Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cheryl White and Rumley also in attendance. “We seem to live in an age where our households are peppered with unsolicited calls and contacts,” said Rumley. “This ordinance will be something to give our residents one more quantum of peace in their homes.” wickedlocal.com Wicked Local Medford with news from the Medford Transcript Medford Transcript, 57 High Street, Medford, Massachusetts 02155 Read This Story |
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Beware of Magazine Sales and Subscription Scams September 26, 2008 Beware of Magazine Sales and Subscription Scams Article by Bill Fulks (12,892 pts) Bright Hub Published on Sep 26, 2008 A knock on the door... This past weekend, I had some friends over when someone rang my doorbell. I looked through my peephole and thought the guy on my porch as another friend of mine who was supposed to be out of town. When I opened the door, I realized that my friend was still out of town, and the guy on my porch was there to sell me something. For the record, I have never and will never buy anything from anyone who knocks on my door. The first thing the guy said to me was, “Your neighbors said you were friendly. Are you friendly?” I am pretty friendly, but I hope my neighbors didn’t get this guy’s hopes up by telling him that. He then hands me this beat up old card that has a bunch of handwritten notes like ‘I Win!’ and other junk on it. This guy, who was probably about 20 years old, then mentions the name of some program he is in that is supposed to help him better his public relation skills and something else. I wasn’t really paying that much attention. He went through this long spiel about how he needed 20,000 points to earn a trip to somewhere and how he was in first place with 19,000 and needed just a few more to get the trip. What it eventually got around to was the guy was trying to sell me some overpriced magazines. I politely declined and the fake smile on his face quickly went away. He made some comment that I think was hopefully polite, but I was already closing the door when he said it. Back in August 2005, the Washington Post did a story on Magazine Sales Scams where people claimed to be from a school or some group, but were not. Even the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) website warns about magazine subscription scams. A Google search for ‘magazine sales scams’ returns hundreds of articles from newspaper and television websites all over the United States that report related scams in their area. Scam details... While not all door-to-door magazine sales are a scam, many of them are. Often times, it is the people doing the selling who are as much a victim of the scam as those people who actually buy the magazines. The sad part of it is that the guy at my door might be an unsuspecting participant in the scam. He might really think he’s going to get a prize trip somewhere. I am pretty sure he was lying about the 19,000 points and how he was in first place, because it made for a juicy sales pitch. It was like he was trying to make me feel sorry enough for him to want to buy a magazine. Homey don’t play that. I did some research on the subject, and uncovered another problem related to the magazine sales. The unscrupulous companies who put these kids out on the street to go door-to-door often work the sellers like indentured servants. Many of them are loaded up on a bus and taken to distant areas where they are pretty much forced to work all day and most wind up making very little money. It is promises of prizes like trips that entice these young people into signing up for the work, but the majority of them end up with very little to show for their effort. In February 2001, the New York Times ran a horrifying four-page story about young people caught up in magazine sales crews and the kind of things they went through. Check it out and you may think twice about even opening the door to these people. In fact, I wish now that I had warned that young man at my door of what he was involved in, and to get out as soon as he could. If these people show up at your home or business, don’t fall for any of their sob stories. A legitimate salesperson wouldn’t need to get into such a long story before they even told you what they were selling. Bright Hub brighthub.com Troy, New York Read This Story |
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Door-To-Door Magazine Sales Warning !!! September 24, 2008 Local police investigate solicitor reports Similar cases seen in Orchard Lake, West Bloomfield By David Wallace C and G Staff Writer candgnews.com 09/24/08 You can reach Staff Writer David Wallace at dwallace@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1053. CandG Staff Writer candgnews.com Michigan Read This Story |
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Human Trafficking September 23, 2008 What appears to be scam, also seems to be case of human trafficking "John" talks about how he answered an ad in Florida and ended up on the streets of the Valley selling magazines. Story Published: Sep 23, 2008 at 11:55 PM PDT Story Updated: Sep 23, 2008 at 11:59 PM PDT YouNewsTV™ By Matt Loveless Story Updated: Sep 23, 2008 at 11:59 PM PDT By Matt Loveless KLEV TV klewtv.com Lewiston, Idaho Read This Story |
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Door-to-door Salesman Coaxes Way Into Home September 15, 2008 Cypress - Door-to-door Salesman Coaxes Way Into Home And $25,000 In Jewelry Goes Missing By Inland Empire • Sep 15th, 2008 • Category: Other California News mymurrieta.com September 11, 2008 Contact: Sgt. Tom Bruce - PIO Phone No.: (714) 229-6619 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nature of Release: Door-to-door Salesman Coaxes Way Into Home And $25,000 In Jewelry Goes Missing Date/Time of Occurrence: 9-10-08 – 3:44 p.m. Location of Incident: 6600 Block of Fichot Way – Cypress, CA. Case Number: 08002886 Suspect: Unknown – Male white 25-30 yoa, dark short hair 5-8 - 5-10. mymurrieta.com Cypress, California Read This Story |
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Door-to-Door Sales Company: Kirby Vacuum Member: Direct Selling Association September 11, 2008 JobVent.com Inside Information About the Jobs and Employers we Love and Hate Company Reviews for Kirby Vacuum Rating = -33 Pay -5 Respect -5 Benefits -5 Job Security -5 Work/Life Balance -5 Career Potential/Growth 0 Location -5 Co-worker Competence 2 Work Environment -5 jobvent.com Read This Story |
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Kirby Salespeople Ain't Welcome Around Here Door-to-Door Sales Company: Kirby Vacuum Member: Direct Selling Association September 9, 2008 Kirby Salespeople Ain't Welcome Around Here Posted by Mahala at 9/09/2008 09:11:00 AM hiddenmahala.blogspot.com Tuesday, September 09, 2008 It all began last night, while I was in the bathroom, tending to bathroom related duties.. if you get my drift. I heard some car doors slamming outside and minute or two later, I heard someone knocking on the front door, turning my normally mild mannered pooches in to a pack of wild beasts. I heard the Amazon corral the Boston Baked Beagle in to his crate and open the door.. then it was silent. I figured it was either Aunt Moses or my trashy, big-boobed cousin with the lazy eye's youngin, so I didn't get in any hurry. I mean.. you can't rush nature anyway. When I did emerge from the potty palace, I saw that the Amazon still had the front door open, because it was blocking my passage down the hall. I assumed she was talking to someone she knew from work or school or something. As I walked by, the girl's eyes grew and she said, "Oh, is this your mother?" She was scrawny, she looked like she could use a sandwich or six, but nicely dressed. She introduced herself and proceeded to tell me that Quiznos had gone out of business over in Scary Hillbilly Town and they'd taken over their office. She said they were going around, getting to know people in the area. "What kind of office?" seemed like a reasonable question to ask, but she proceeded to hand me a "free gift" of a can of Glade air freshener, then handed me two cards, explaining that they were entry forms for a trip give away. My internal bullshit alarms went off immediately.. and that can of Glade wasn't going to cover the smell. It was then that Miss Thang pushed her way past the door and invited her little ass in to my house. Oh hell to the no. She asked where my husband was, then when I said, "I'm not married," she went on to ask if I was divorced or widowed or what. "I just never got married." "Well! Shake my hand!" she said, wide eyed and simple minded. I just gave her the STFU stink eye while she stood there with her hand extended. "Why?" I asked. She mumbled something about being single or something.. I'm not sure what she was getting at. She looked around, asked if we had any more animals, made some stupid comment about zebras and giraffes then informed me that she'd go get some stuff from the car for a demonstration while I filled the cards out. But as she was yammering, I'd flipped the cards over and seen the only thing I needed to know. Kirby. Sweet Lord in heaven, the child thought she was going to come up in my house and sell me a vacuum cleaner. "I'm in the middle of cooking dinner and we don't really have time for anything like this this evening," I began, but she interrupted before I could finish. "Oh that's fine, we don't mind. We can stay for dinner, we like good, southern cooking!" I have to give her credit, she had balls. "Um no, I'm going to have to ask you to leave please." She looked shattered, she muttered and tried to argue with me, making no effort whatsoever to get out of my house. I'd had all I was going to take of this bullshit and she was going to leave, one way or another. I had to physically back Miss Thang out the door. Girlfriend doesn't realize how close she came to an ass beating, pushing her way all up in my house. That crap pisses me off. This morning, I was sharing my little adventure with Lulu, who said they'd been to her parents house over the weekend and stayed for over an hour, refusing to leave when asked. The story they told Lulu's parents didn't add up with what they told us so we got suspicious. We asked Thelma if she'd heard anything about these people going door to door (she's married to the town cop) and she said they'd been run out of town Saturday. When I told her they'd shown up at my house last night, she got on the phone with her hubby, who said that the next time someone pushed their way up in my house like that, I was to "box their jaws." Heh. Gotta love small town law enforcement. Anywho.. after some investigating on our own, we've determined that they probably were just door to door Kirby salespeople, but that's no excuse for pushing your way in to people's homes and not leaving when instructed to do so. So Kirby? Ya'll suck. Come near my house again and you'll be Ozzy food. He likes sales people. But next time, send one with a little more meat on their bones. He's a big ol' boy and has a healthy appetite. Read This Story |
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Traveling salespeople spook local residents Door-to-Door Sales Company: Southwestern Company Member: Direct Selling Association September 9, 2008 Traveling salespeople spook local residents By JANET LUNDQUIST The Herald News The Naperville Sun September 9, 2008 Sun-Times News Group The Herald News The Naperville Sun suburbanchicagonews.com Read This Story DMPG Info Clip: This company is lobbying against legislation in the state of Wisconsin that is specifically designed to protect Wisconsin kids and homeowners. To research this company: Research Southwestern Company To research legislation: Research Wisconsin Legislation |
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Defense: Shooting Suspects Didn't Kill Vandy Professor September 9, 2008 Defense: Shooting Suspects Didn't Kill Vandy Professor newschannel5.com Posted: Sep 9, 2008 05:51 PM CDT Nashville, Tennessee Read This Story |
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Don't Close Door On No-Knock; Rewrite It September 9, 2008 Don't Close Door On No-Knock; Rewrite It Author: Anonymous. Section: Editorial Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, N.M.: Sep 9, 2008. pg. A.5 Section: Editorial Albuquerque Journal abqjournal.com Albuquerque, New Mexico Read This Story |
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Magazine Salesman Arrested On Theft Charges Door-to-Door Sales Company: Atlantic Circulation, Inc Member: National Field Selling Asssociation September 8, 2008 Arrest made in magazine sales theft scheme By Bobbie Hanstein • Sep 8th, 2008 • Category: News Daily Bulldog Daily Bulldog dailybulldog.com Franklin County, Maine Read This Story |
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Suspicious Salespeople Door-to-Door Sales Company: Southwestern Company Member: Direct Selling Association September 8, 2008 Aurora police warn of suspicious salespeople popping up in area By JANET LUNDQUIST jlundquist@scn1.com The Beacon News September 8, 2008 The Beacon News suburbanchicagonews.com Aurora, Illinois Read This Story DMPG Info Clip: This company is lobbying against legislation in the state of Wisconsin that is specifically designed to protect Wisconsin kids and homeowners. To research this company: Research Southwestern Company To research legislation: Research Wisconsin Legislation |
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MAGAZINE SALESMAN CHARGED IN SEXUAL ASSAULT Door-to-Door Sales Company: Midwest Clearing, Inc. September 5, 2008 Man held on bond in sexual assault case By Joe Sinopoli, jsinopoli@mysuburbanlife.com La Grange Suburban Life Fri Sep 05, 2008, 03:18 PM CDT A 23-year-old magazine salesman from Alabama was charged Tuesday with breaking into an 86-year-old La Grange Highlands woman’s home and sexually assaulting her during the Labor Day weekend, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. George Lucas, of Clanton, Ala., is charged with home invasion and aggravated criminal sexual assault, both Class X felonies. He is being held on $750,000 bond. His next court date is Sept. 16. County police spokesman Steve Patterson said Lucas had no serious prior run-ins with the law, with the exception of a probation violation related to a DUI offense in Georgia. “You just don’t know what goes through someone’s mind to do what that guy did,” Patterson said. Investigators said Lucas was in the area selling magazines door-to-door for Hazel Crest-based Midwest Clearing, a distributor for Connecticut-based Paragon Sales. He had been with a sales team from Wisconsin that began canvassing the La Grange Highlands area around 2:30 p.m. Friday. Lucas was to make sales calls on 25 homes before being picked up around 8:30 p.m. According to investigators, Lucas said he began drinking shots of vodka with a neighborhood resident after his co-workers failed to pick him up. He walked to a nearby gas station around 10 p.m. to purchase cigarettes, then began wandering the neighborhood. He was in the victim’s backyard for a short time before going into her home in the 1300 block of 52nd Place. Lucas told police he entered through an unlocked door. However, police found a screen had been cut open. Lucas told investigators he ate and watched TV in the victim’s home before seeing her sleeping in her bedroom. He then entered her room, covered her mouth and sexually assaulted her. Lucas left a bag of magazine information in the victim’s backyard, including information identifying him, after he threw her home phone out of the house and fled. The woman made it to the home of a neighbor, who then dialed 911. Lucas arrived early Saturday morning at the Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital emergency room, where the victim was being treated and talking to investigators. Lucas was complaining he was sick and spitting up blood. Sheriff’s police investigators recognized his name from the identifying information left at the scene and arrested Lucas. La Grange Suburban Life mysuburbanlife.com La Grange, Illinois Read This Story |
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Magazine Sales Fraud Alert Door-to-Door Sales Company: Atlantic Circulation September 5, 2008 Fraud alert GateHouse News Service pratttribune.com Fri Sep 05, 2008, 12:11 PM CDT The public is warned to be alert for door-to-door magazine sales from Atlantic Circulation. Five members of Atlantic Circulation were arrested in Pratt Thursday night for refusing to obtain a license to sell door-to-door. All five posted bond and have left Pratt, said Pratt Police Detective Jeff Ward. In August an alert was issued against Atlantic Circulation Inc. of York, Pa. The Pratt Police Department received many complaints against the company that was going door-to-door trying to sell magazines. Those complaints included failure to register to solicit sales within Pratt, suspicious and deceptive activity and potential fraud related to individuals taking money from customers with no intent of providing the product. The public needs to continue to be vigilant for Atlantic Circulation or other organizations selling door-to-door. Only Pratt County Schools have legitimate magazine sales in Pratt. If anyone has a question about door-to-door magazine sales or any other door-to-door sales they should contact the Pratt Police Department immediately at 672-5551, Ward said. During the August investigation 11 members of Atlantic Circulation were questioned and a large number of sales receipts, personal checks and cash were taken as evidence. Several members had active warrants including one warrant for the same solicitation activity, one was a convicted felon and several had suspended driver’s licenses. pratttribune.com Pratt, Kansas Read This Story |
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Illegal Door-To-Door Magazine Sales Door-to-Door Magazine Sales Company: Face to Face Technologies aka: Great Lake Circulation Inc.; aka: American Cash Award September 5, 2008 Cops: Despite warning, illegal door-to-door sales continued By Tehani Schneider • Daily Record • September 5, 2008 dailyrecord.com Tehani Schneider can be reached at (973) 428-6631 or tschneider@gannett.com. (973) 428-6631 or tschneider@gannett.com dailyrecord.com Boonton Township, New Jersey Read This Story |
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Door-To-Door Magazine Sales Warning Door-to-Door Magazine Sales Company: Face to Face Technologies aka: Great Lake Circulation Inc.; aka: American Cash Award September 4, 2008 Kinnelon police warn residents of solicitors Say 3 going door to door didn't have permits; two found to have warrants By Tehani Schneider • Daily Record • September 4, 2008 (973) 428-6631 or tschneider@gannett.com dailyrecord.com Boonton Township, New Jersey Read This Story |
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Magazine Salesman Charged With Attempted Murder And Aggravated Sexual Assault September 4, 2008 American Fork police share tips for dealing with solicitors Barbara Christiansen - North County Staff Daily Herald Thursday, 04 September 2008 Daily Herald heraldextra.com American Fork, Utah Read This Story |
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Magazine Salesman Brian James Mask Faces Charges of: Attempted Murder With Serious Bodily Injury And Aggravated Sexual Assault September 3, 2008 Salesman faces attempted murder charge in Utah County case By Sara Israelsen-Hartley Deseret News Published: September 3, 2008 E-mail: sisraelsen@desnews.com Deseret News deseretnews.com Provo, Utah Read This Story |
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MAGAZINE SALESMAN CHARGED IN HOME INVASION, SEXUAL ASSAULT Door-to-Door Sales Company: Midwest Clearing, Inc. September 2, 2008 MAGAZINE SALESMAN CHARGED IN HOME INVASION, SEXUAL ASSAULT OF 86-YEAR-OLD Press Release Cook County Sheriff's Office Cook County, Illinois 09/02/08 George H. Lucas was in the Chicago area selling magazines door-to-door, investigators said. Lucas was working for Midwest Clearing, of Hazel Crest, which is a distributor for Connecticut-based Paragon Sales. He had been with a crew from Wisconsin when the group targeted the LaGrange Highlands area around 2:30 p.m. Friday. After he had visited 25 houses, Lucas was supposed to be picked up around 8:30 p.m. When his co-workers failed to pick him up, he drank shots of vodka with a neighborhood resident, investigators said. Lucas then walked to a nearby gas station around 10 p.m. to purchase cigarettes, after which he began wandering the neighborhood. He stayed in the victim’s backyard for a while before going into the victim’s home. Though investigators found a cut screen, Lucas told police he entered through an unlocked door. Lucas ate and watched TV in the victim’s home, while she slept, before seeing her in her bedroom. He entered her room, covered her mouth and sexually assaulted her before fleeing, throwing her home phone out of the house. As he fled, Lucas left a bag of magazine sales information in the victim’s back yard, including information identifying him. As the victim was being treated at LaGrange Hospital and talking to investigators early Saturday morning, Lucas arrived at the same emergency room, complaining he was sick and spitting up blood. Sheriff’s police investigators recognized his name from the identifying information left at the scene and arrested Lucas. Lucas, of Clanton, Ala. is charged with home invasion and aggravated criminal sexual assault, both class X felonies. He is being held on $750,000 bond. His next court date is Sept. 16. Cook County Sheriff's Office cookcountysheriff.org Cook County, Illinois Read This Story |
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Magazine Salesmen Warning !!! Door-to-Door Sales Company: Prestige Sales September 2, 2008 Barnstable police warn of magazine salesmen By Karen Jeffrey STAFF WRITER Cape Cod Times September 02, 2008 12:44 PM STAFF WRITER Cape Cod Times capecodonline.com Hyannis, Massachusetts Read This Story |
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Vanderbilt Professor Murdered August 30, 2008 Vanderbilt professor's ID used after his murder Four arrested in professor's death By RACHEL STULTS Staff Writer The Tennessean August 30, 2008 And they were smiling and laughing while they did it. Four people have been arrested in the slaying of Pierre Colas in his East Nashville home Tuesday night. One more suspect could still be charged, and police will be pursuing him in the coming days, said Metro Police Lt. Danny Driskell. Police believe that robbery was the primary motive, and that the suspects did not know Colas. The suspects in custody are: Thomas Andrew Reed, 20; Michael Shane Holloway, 22; George Eugene Cody, 29; and Gennyfer Dawn Hutcherson, 35. They are being charged with criminal homicide in the death of Colas and attempted criminal homicide in the shooting of his sister, Marie Colas. Colas, 32, a professor in VU's anthropology department, was found dead in his home after his roommate, an associate professor at Vanderbilt, heard footsteps and gunshots downstairs and called 911. Marie Colas, 27, a postgraduate student in Swit zerland who was visiting her brother, was shot in the head. She was still in very critical condition Friday night at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Videos lead to suspects On Thursday afternoon, police discovered that "items of value" — some upwards of hundreds of dollars — were being purchased from various businesses using Colas' identification just three hours after his murder, Driskell said in a news conference Friday. Surveillance tapes recovered from the businesses showed the individuals laughing and smiling while making those purchases. The videos also showed their vehicle. At 4 a.m. Friday, officer Kenneth Bray was patrolling the area where the murder occurred when he spotted a car outside a house on West Sharpe Avenue that matched the description of the one used in the purchases, Driskell said. The home is about two blocks away from Colas' residence on McFerrin Avenue. Bray stepped out of his cruiser to get a closer look at the license tag, and a man stepped out of the house to meet him on the front porch, Driskell said. Police found two other men on the porch and a woman inside. Cody and Hutcherson share the home at West Sharpe Avenue, and Reed and Holloway were staying at a LaQuinta Inn on Sidco Drive in South Nashville, Driskell said. Police obtained a search warrant for the residence, the three hotel rooms at LaQuinta Inn and the car. They found the purchased merchandise, two weapons and items that had been taken from Colas, placing the suspects at his home, Driskell said. "They were very specific, identifying items that without a doubt if you saw these items you would say these belonged to professor Colas," Driskell said. "They were items he either had immediately around him or may have actually had on him. We don't know about that. We never will know." The four suspects know one another through a relative, and Reed and Holloway were here working with a group that was selling magazines, Driskell said. Police do not believe the suspects knew Colas but will be interviewing friends, faculty and students of Colas' to find any possible connection. "In my 30 years in law enforcement, I have not seen a more brutal coldblooded killing than occurred at this residence at this time," said East Precinct Commander Bob Nash. "And the fact that they would go out and start purchasing things afterward is just abominable and we're ashamed and disgusted by it. And this community should be too." Police are also looking at the suspects in connection to other robberies in East Nashville and across the city, Driskell said. Police said more purchases may have been made, and ask that businesses look out for any charges that may come through using Colas' identification. If that has occurred, business owners should contact police at 615-862-7525. Staff Writer The Tennessean tennessean.com Nashville, Tennessee Read This Story |
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Vanderbilt University Professor Pierre Colas Murder August 29, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Metro Nashville Police Department August 29, 2008 Disclaimer: These links are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department of any of the products, services or opinions of the corporation or organization or individual. The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content. Send questions or comments about this site to webmaster@police.nashville.org police.nashville.org Nashville, Tennessee Read This Press Release |
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Magazine Salesman Accused Of Raping Woman In Home August 27, 2008 Salesman accused of raping woman in home By Steve Gehrke The Salt Lake Tribune Salt Lake Tribune Article Last Updated:08/27/2008 12:12:59 AM MDT sgehrke@sltrib.com The Salt Lake Tribune sltrib.com Salt Lake Tribune Read This Story |
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Book Lady Scam Alert !!! Door-to-Door Sales Company: Southwestern Company Member: Direct Selling Association August 26, 2008 Book lady scam alert Last Edited: Tuesday, 26 Aug 2008, 3:31 PM CDT Created: Tuesday, 26 Aug 2008, 3:31 PM CDT Scam Alert FOX10 News http://www.southwesternathome.com/Verify/Default.aspx myfoxgulfcoast.com Mobile, Alabama Read This Story |
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Magazine salesman arrested for allegedly raping woman August 26, 2008 Magazine salesman arrested for allegedly raping woman August 26th, 2008 @ 5:03pm By Randall Jeppesen and Courtney Orton 5 KLS TV Yesterday 25-year-old Brian James Mask was going door-to-door in an American Fork neighborhood. Jean Whaley, who lives in the neighborhood, said, "He was trying to sell magazines or something for points." He knocked on Whaley's door just after 6 p.m. "I just said, 'I'm not interested,' went back in and shut the door," she said. Shortly after, he knocked on her neighbor's door. American Fork police Sgt. Gregg Ludlow says the man invited himself into the home of the 58-year-old woman when she went to sign a paper. Ludlow says the suspect then physically and sexually assaulted her. "We believe she was pretty much left for dead," Ludlow says. Her attacker got away while she struggled to call for help. "She's suffered some pretty severe trauma. This is a fine lady that just did not deserve to have this happen to her," Chief Lance Call, with the American Fork Police Department, said. Police interviewed people in the neighborhood to see if anyone had seen Mask before. Jamie Reece says she remembers the salesman. She says he was pushy and kept trying to touch her. Reece said, "He said, ‘I'm going to need to go into the garage.' And I said no. And he said, ‘I mean to find something to sell.'" She was not harmed. Less than an hour after the attack, police caught Mask. "We got some help from Lehi police, who observed him getting on a bus trying to get back to Salt Lake. They stopped the bus and took him into custody," Call said. That's good news for the dozens of residents who opened their doors to the salesman yesterday, but many of them won't be opening their doors to strangers in the future. "Never ever let someone into your home you don't know. The risk is just too high," Call said. Whaley said, "I'm going to put a no-solicitors sign on my door." Mask is from St. Louis. He works for an out-of-state company that sells magazine subscriptions. The company didn't have a solicitors license that American Fork requires for such work, so Mask was going door-to-door illegally. He's now in the Utah County jail. E-mail: corton@ksl.com E-mail: rjeppesen@ksl.com 5 KLS TV ksl.com Salt Lake City, Utah Read This Story |
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Door to Door Magazine Sales Scam Alert !!! Door-to-Door Sales Company: Dynasty Sales LLC August 26, 2008 Police warn residents in Easthampton, Southampton and Northampton to beware door-to-door scams Homeowners warned of scams By NANCY H. GONTER ngonter@repub.com The Republican Tuesday, August 26, 2008 ngonter@repub.com The Republican masslive.com Springfield, Massachusetts Read This Story |
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5 Magazine Salesmen Arrested August 26, 2008 Police arrest 5 magazine sellers TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF telegram.com Monday, August 25, 2008 telegram.com Worcester, Massachusetts Read This Story |
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Escaping the Magazine Crew August 20, 2008 The Story Escaping the Magazine Crew Olivia Helmig American Public Media Public Insight Network Dick Gordan August 20, 2008 Olivia Helmig was in a magazine crew for 10 months. During that time, she had no medical care, witnessed abuse and heard stories of rape from fellow female crew members. She talks with Dick Gordon about the dangerous and largely unknown world of underground magazine sales. American Public Media Public Insight Network thestory.org Chapel Hill, North Carolina Read This Story Listen To This Story: |
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Door-to-Door Magazine Sales Warning !!! August 19, 2008 Consumer Affairs Warns About Door-to-Door Scams By Heather Sullivan Anchor News Channel 7 WSPA Published: August 19, 2008 Anchor News Channel 7 WSPA wspa.com Spartanburg, South Carolina Read This Story |
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Door-to-Door Magazine Sales Warning !!! Door-to-Door Sales Company: American Community Services, Inc. August 19, 2008 Beware of teens selling magazines! clemmonscrossing.blogspot.com Tuesday, August 19, 2008 http://www.travelingsalescrews.info www.parentwatch.org http://www.magcrew.com Clemmons, North Carolina Read This Story |
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Door to door: big bucks or bust? Door-to-Door Sales Company: Southwestern Company Member: Direct Selling Association August 17, 2008 Door to door: big bucks or bust? Book company recruits college students for long days away from home Melissa Caron, The Charlotte Observer Six days a week, he spends his days going door to door in the Monroe area selling books for Nashville-based Southwestern Co. The possibility of making more than $8,500 in a summer -- as Southwestern boasts in promotional material -- has attracted more than 2,700 college students into its ranks this summer. Nearly 40 students from Arizona and New Mexico are selling for Southwestern in the Charlotte area, with another 15 in Raleigh. About 55 students from UNC-Chapel Hill and N.C. State University are peddling west of the Mississippi River this summer. Praise and criticism for the 150-year-old, privately-held company can run the gamut. Sellers such as Stantus laud the discipline the Southwestern program gives them or how it helps them pay college costs. "It's great money," said Stantus in his second summer of selling. "Nothing in life ever comes easy." But some former sellers criticize the long hours and disavow the company's claim that students make an average of $8,500 a summer selling academic study guides. Some states have tried to pass laws aimed at the direct selling industry in general that would prevent Southwestern from operating under its business model of hiring people as independent contractors. Students buy the study guides from Southwestern, which is the main publisher of the materials. Students then sell the books at retail, keeping the profit -- which can be as much as a 40 percent, said Southwestern spokesman Trey Campbell. As independent contractors, sellers do not receive an hourly wage, which can leave some with nothing if they are unable to make a sale. With three out of 10 first-year sellers quitting, the program isn't for everyone, Campbell said. Quily Ho, 19, left the program this summer after selling books for two weeks in Georgetown, Ky., and working 14 hours day. "I didn't last very long," said Ho, a student at the University of Texas at Austin. "I think I kind of overestimated myself." Without a car, Ho was dropped off in the morning by another seller and was picked up at night after walking for more than 12 hours. Sunburnt and having made one sale for the summer, he said everything finally brought him down. He turned over his one sale to another seller and flew home on a plane ticket he hadn't used for his brother's graduation in May. He estimates he's out more than $380 from travel and living expenses for the summer. In the end, he said it came down to not having the right mindset. "Since everyone in the organization is doing the same thing, everyone is motivated," Ho said. "If everyone else is doing it and you are not, it's awkward." Restriction rejected While North Carolina hasn't restricted companies such as Southwestern, Wisconsin legislators recently tried to require direct sellers to designate peddlers as employees. This would have held companies responsible for the actions of sellers and put them under laws governing 40-hour workweeks. Campbell said Southwestern opposed the bill because it would have disrupted its business model and prevented students from operating as their own businesses -- a benefit that many students like. The measure failed. "We are set up to provide training and products," he said. "Not to have 3,000 employees." The door-to-door industry received some attention in the Charlotte area five years ago when a man sexually assaulted and killed 18-year-old Jin-Joo Byrne of Seattle, who stopped by his apartment soliciting money for the Unification Church. Safety is always on the minds of Southwestern sellers, said Monique Flores, a 24-year-old seller from Arizona. She said she uses census and poverty data to determine an area's safety. "Nobody ever works (in areas that are) past the poverty line," said Flores, who is selling in Concord this summer. "Nobody would work in a place that has $40,000 or less annual income per household." Campbell said the students sell in areas where crime levels are lower than on their campuses, although there is no direct formula for determining this. He adds that students typically have their cell phones with them and they are just a 911 call away. Students generally sell outside their home state to cut distractions. There are nearly 80 sellers in the Carolinas this summer, Campbell said. There more than 70 students from colleges in the Carolinas working west of the Mississippi River. The company depends on the enthusiasm of sellers like Stantus. A student at Arizona State University, he was one of the top first-year sellers last year. He says he made more than the $8,500 average but wouldn't give an exact figure. He admits the summer is tough, with workdays averaging 12-14 hours and rejection happening more often than sales. Starting with lively breakfast Every morning he wakes up before 7 at the home of a host family arranged by the company and meets with two other sellers at the Village Grille in Monroe. Over breakfast, they plot out the day -- analyzing worn maps, drawing out targeted streets on legal pads and getting order forms ready. Stantus, in a morning ritual, reads aloud a passage from "The Greatest Salesman in the World" by the late sales guru Og Mandino. " 'I will sell more goods than ever before,' " Stantus said. "' I will earn more gold than ever before. I will live this day as if it is my last, and, if not, I shall fall to my knees and give thanks.' That's pretty good." Stantus says goodbye to his fellow peddlers and heads out for a day of driving and knocking on strangers' doors. Homeowners are sometimes angry, and there are occasional encounters with pets. He was once chased by a peacock. He tries to stay positive. He often turns to the daily passage by Mandino and says he focuses on the present to keep his spirits up. "If you are able to see the most prospects with the best attitude, you will probably be the most successful," Stantus said. "But that's obviously a lot harder said than done." newsobserver.com Charlotte, North Carolina Read This Story DMPG Info Clip: This company is lobbying against legislation in the state of Wisconsin that is specifically designed to protect Wisconsin kids and homeowners. To research this company: Research Southwestern Company To research legislation: Research Wisconsin Legislation |
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Door-to-Door Sales Company: Southwestern Company Member: Direct Selling Association August 15, 2008 Strange Questions Update By KULR Staff Story Published: Aug 15, 2008 at 7:12 PM MDT Story Updated: Aug 15, 2008 at 7:44 PM MDT KURL8 TV kulr8.com Billings, Montana Read This Story To Read Previous KULR Article on Southwestern Company click here. |
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Magazine Sales Alert !!! Sales Crew: Unlimited Sales Inc. August 14, 2008 North Middleton reports unauthorized solicitors By staff reports, August 14, 2008 The Sentinel Online Last updated: Thursday, August 14, 2008 1:01 PM EDT The Sentinel Online cumberlink.com Carlisle, Pennsylvania Read This Story |
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The Horror of Traveling Sales Crews Revisited and A Condemnation of the Modern Direct Selling Industry! Quixtar Cult Intervention Read This Story |
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Magazine Salesman Arrested On Outstanding Warrants August 14, 2008 Magazine Solicitation Leads To Arrest The Sag Harbor Express Posted on 14 August 2008 sagharborexpress.sagharborpublishing.com Sag Harbor, New York Read This Story |
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Door-to-Door Sales Warning !!! August 13, 2008 Strange Questions By Sarah Gravlee KURL8 TV Story Published: Aug 13, 2008 at 6:23 PM MDT Story Updated: Aug 13, 2008 at 6:23 PM MDT KURL8 TV kulr8.com Billings, Montana Read This Story |
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Door-to-Door Magazine Sales Warning !!! Magazine Sales Company: Atlantic Circulation Inc. August 11, 2008 Police warn of magazine sales scam The Pratt Tribune Mon Aug 11, 2008, 12:35 PM CDT Pratt area residents are warned to be on the alert for people selling magazine subscriptions door-to-door for Atlantic Circulation Inc. of York, Penn. The Pratt Police Department has received numerous complaints about this company, said Pratt Police Chief Steve Holmes. The complaints include failure to register with the city for permission to solicit sales within Pratt, suspicious and deceptive activity and potential fraud related to individuals taking money from customers with no intent of providing the product the customers paid for, Holmes said. Anyone who has purchased magazines from Atlantic Circulation should contact the Pratt Police Department at 672-5551. Individuals in the group were contacted and many were deceptive about their activities. They were detained for soliciting sales without a permit. Information was taken from 11 suspects and a large number of sales receipts, personal checks and cash were taken as evidence, Holmes said. Several suspects had active warrants in other states that refused to extradite because of distance. One warrant was for the same type of solicitation in another state, one person was a convicted felon and several had suspended driver’s licenses. The police department has requested contact from a company representative but no one has called. The Pratt Police Department warns all residents to be alert for this type of activity. “We would like all citizens to be wary of unsolicited door-to-door sales people,” Holmes said. “The best practice is to contact the Pratt Police Department to determine if the company has been approved for door-to-door sales.” pratttribune.com Pratt, Kansas Read This Story |
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Door-to-Door Magazine Sales Warning !!! Magazine Sales Company: Atlantic Circulation Inc. August 11, 2008 Police warn of magazine sales scam The Pratt Tribune Mon Aug 11, 2008, 12:35 PM CDT Pratt area residents are warned to be on the alert for people selling magazine subscriptions door-to-door for Atlantic Circulation Inc. of York, Penn. The Pratt Police Department has received numerous complaints about this company, said Pratt Police Chief Steve Holmes. The complaints include failure to register with the city for permission to solicit sales within Pratt, suspicious and deceptive activity and potential fraud related to individuals taking money from customers with no intent of providing the product the customers paid for, Holmes said. Anyone who has purchased magazines from Atlantic Circulation should contact the Pratt Police Department at 672-5551. Individuals in the group were contacted and many were deceptive about their activities. They were detained for soliciting sales without a permit. Information was taken from 11 suspects and a large number of sales receipts, personal checks and cash were taken as evidence, Holmes said. Several suspects had active warrants in other states that refused to extradite because of distance. One warrant was for the same type of solicitation in another state, one person was a convicted felon and several had suspended driver’s licenses. The police department has requested contact from a company representative but no one has called. The Pratt Police Department warns all residents to be alert for this type of activity. “We would like all citizens to be wary of unsolicited door-to-door sales people,” Holmes said. “The best practice is to contact the Pratt Police Department to determine if the company has been approved for door-to-door sales.” pratttribune.com Pratt, Kansas Read This Story |
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Research Atlantic Circulation Inc. aka: ACI 2550 Kingston Rd Suite 113 York, PA 17402 Phone Number: (717) 755-3480 Fax Number: (717) 755-3484 Website: http://www.atlanticcirculation.com No Pennsylvania Secretary of State listing for Atlantic Circulation Inc. Pennsylvania Secretary of State BBB Reliability Report for: Atlantic Circulation, Inc. This is not a BBB accredited business. Pennsylvania BBB Report Business Category: Magazines Sold Door-to-Door eMail: SERVICE@ATLANTICCIRCULATION.COM BBB file opened: March 06, 2000 Business started: September 1998 Primary Contact: Mr. Daniel W. Shoemaker, III (President) Complaint Contact: April Hartman Other Contacts: Ms. Stephanie Mr. Brad Hibbs Ms. Rita Shoemaker (Vice President) Mr. Jeremey Umphrey Atlantic Circulation Inc. Sales Crews: 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 Google Search: "Atlantic Circulation" + magazine: http://edumacation.com/AtlanticCirculationInc |
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Door-to-Door Magazine Sales Warning !!! Magazine Sales Company: Prestige Sales USA August 11, 2008 Bedford warns about door-to-door solicitors Chris Serico The Journal News August 11, 2008 The Journal News lohud.com West Nyack, New York Read This Story |
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Prestige Sales USA Magazine Companys: Integrity Sales/Integrity Program Persons of Interest: Robert Spruiell Karleen Hillery Karleen Spruiell Karleen Hillery Spruiell Jonathan Tork Diane Tork WebSite: Prestige Sales USA Google Search: Prestige Sales LLC Google Search: Prestige Sales USA Google Search: Prestige Sales + Magazine Google Search: Jonathan Tork + Magazine Google Search: Diane Tork + Magazine Info on prestigesalesusa.com as of May 10, 2008 Domain name: prestigesalesusa.com Registrant Contact: Prestige Sales (SPRESTIGE65@YAHOO.COM) +1.6029784710 Fax: +1.6029784710 PO Box 82430 Phoenix, AZ 85071 US Administrative Contact: Prestige Sales (SPRESTIGE65@YAHOO.COM) +1.6029784710 Fax: +1.6029784710 PO Box 82430 Phoenix, AZ 85071 US Technical Contact: Prestige Sales (SPRESTIGE65@YAHOO.COM) +1.6029784710 Fax: +1.6029784710 PO Box 82430 Phoenix, AZ 85071 US Status: Active Name Servers: NS1.ACCUWEBHOSTING.BIZ NS2.ACCUWEBHOSTING.BIZ Creation date: 11 Dec 2007 18:54:01 Expiration date: 11 Dec 2010 18:54:01 Arizona Secretary of State: File Number: L-1415655-1 Corp. Name: PRESTIGE SALES LLC Domestic Address 24820 N 16TH AVE #110 PHOENIX, AZ 85085 Statutory Agent Information Agent Name: REGISTERED AGENT SOLUTIONS INC Agent Mailing/Physical Address: 638 N FIFTH AVE PHOENIX, AZ 85003 Agent Status: APPOINTED 12/17/2007 Agent Last Updated: 01/24/2008 Additional Incorporation Date: 12/17/2007 Corporate Life Period: PERPETUAL Domicile: ARIZONA County: MARICOPA Approval Date: 12/19/2007 Original Publish Date: 01/22/2008 Member Information ROBERT SPRUIELL MEMBER 24820 N 16TH AVE #110 PHOENIX,AZ 85085 Date of Taking Office: 12/17/2007 Last Updated: 12/19/2007 ---------------- Integrity Sales/Integrty 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 Nevada Secretary of State: Integrity Program: Integrity Program 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) Google Search: Karleen Hillery Google Search: Karleen Spruiell Google Search: Robert Spruiell 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 RIP-OFF Report.com Integrity Sales ripoff Phoenix Arizona *Consumer Comment ..New Info Read This Rip-Off Report On Integrity Sales Lookup: Karleen Hillery on Profiler: Karleen Hillery Profile 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. View Wisconsin DOJ Civil Lawsuit Against Karleen Hillery (case # 00-CV-0852) State of Wisconsin V. Karleen Hillery View Illinois Magazine Sales Fraud Lawsuit Against Karleen Hillery (case # 02-CH125) State of Illinois V. Karleen Hillery 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 |
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August 11, 2008 Magazine 1st-half newsstand sales drop 6.3 percent Associated Press New York 08/11/08 ap.google.com New York Read This Story |
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Magazine Sales Agents Arrested Magazine Sales Crew: The Experience Company August 9, 2008 2 more magazine solicitors arrested, fined By Steve Lieberman The Journal News • August 9, 2008 Reach Steve Lieberman at slieberm@lohud.com or 845-578-2443. lohud.com West Nyack, New York Read This Story |
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August 11, 2008
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Magazine Sales Agents Arrested Magazine Sales Crew: The Experience Company August 8, 2008 Two magazine solicitors fined $50 for going door-to-door in Stony Point By Steve Lieberman The Journal News • August 8, 2008 lohud.com West Nyack, New York Read This Story |
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Magazine Sales Agent Arrested Burglary, Conspiracy To Commit Forgery, Theft August 7, 2008 Woman arrested after escaping Bremer jail By JOSH NELSON, Courier Staff Writer WCFCourier.com Thursday, August 7, 2008 12:09 PM CDT Contact Josh Nelson at (319) 291-1565 or josh.nelson@wcfcourier.com. wcfcourier.com Waterloo, Iowa Read This Story |
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Magazine Sales Scam !!! August 7, 2008 Magazine Subscription Service May Not Deliver Reporting Yvonne Zanos KDKA CBS 2 Aug 7, 2008 8:55 pm US/Eastern KDKA CBS 2 kdka.com Pittsburg Pennsylvania Read This Story |
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Magazine Sales Scam !!! Convicted Felon Selling Magazines Door-to-Door August 7, 2008 Door To Door Scam In Clearfield County Reported by: Erin Calandra WTAJ-TV Thursday, Aug 7, 2008 @05:39pm EST WTAJ-TV wearecentralpa.com Altoona, Pennsylvania Read This Story |
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Magazine Sales Scam !!! Magazine Sales Crew: Tuscan Reader Services Magaizne Sales Company: United Family Circulation Magazine Clearinghouse: National Publishers Exchange August 7, 2008 Residents fear scams operating in area Chancellor West residents concerned about suspected scam BY ELLEN BILTZ The Free Lance-Star Date published: 8/7/2008 'HE WAS VERY SMOOTH' "He's attractive and preppy with his khaki shorts and hat," Grant said. "He was a nice-looking guy." Grant said she didn't give the man any money, though, because he couldn't produce information to give her about his company. "He just had these cards with children's books on them," she said. The "company" the teen claimed to work for is Tuscan Reader Services, a documented scam company on Web sites like ripoffreport .com. It is the same company 20-year-old Tasha Mitchell used as a front last year when she pulled a scam going door to door in the Fawn Lake area, posing as a high school cheerleader. Mitchell pleaded guilty in January to four counts of obtaining money by false pretenses and is serving a year in jail for her crimes. She had a previous record of pulling a similar scam in other states. And not everyone was as lucky as Grant in realizing the deception while the man was at the door. "He was very smooth," said one resident who asked not to be named. The resident said he actually wrote a check, but after realizing the company was not legitimate, tried to cancel it with his bank. "But now, even if it gets canceled, we're out the check canceling fee at least," he said. NEIGHBORHOOD ON ALERT Residents in Chancellor West became concerned last week when they began talking with one another and no one knew the man visiting their homes trying to collect money. He claimed to be a resident of the neighborhood and told those he visited that he lived on Pathfinder's Court, one of the roads nearby. Some residents reported that the young man claimed to be new to the area and spouted off names of other residents, saying he knew them, in hopes to gain their trust. Judy Carlson, the secretary for the board of directors at Chancellor West, said the homeowners association sent out a warning to residents about the potential door-to-door scammer. "We're trying to get the word out so people know what's happening in the neighborhood," she said. 1st Sgt. Liz Scott of the Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office said she knows of at least one call reporting the fraudulent behavior. That call came from a home on Lee Jackson Circle, the main area of the neighborhood that consists of about 100 lots. They have not named any suspects or made any arrests for the fraud, Scott said. Ellen Biltz: 540/374-5424 Email: ebiltz@freelancestar.com Email: ebiltz@freelancestar.com The Free Lance-Star fredericksburg.com Fredericksburg, Virginia Read This Story |
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Magazine Sales Scam !!! August 5, 2008 Buyer beware: KSU theater students NOT selling magazines Story by K-State Media Relations KTKA 49 ABC 5:34 p.m. Tuesday, August 5, 2008 KTKA 49 ABC ktka.com Topeka, Kansas Read This Story |
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Magazine Salesmen Arrested Magazine Company: Team Extreme Sales LLC July 31, 2008 Resident finds man in his garage in Boonton Township Investigation leads to charges for three The Citizen of Morris County recordernewspapers.com Published: Thursday, July 31, 2008 7:48 AM EDT recordernewspapers.com Morris County, New Jersey Read This Story |
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Team Extreme Sales, LLC aka: TEAM X-TREME Magazine Companys: Integrity Sales/Integrity Program/ Prestige Sales USA Persons of Interest: Robert Spruiell Karleen Hillery Karleen Spruiell Karleen Hillery Spruiell Jonathan Tork Diane Tork WebSite: Prestige Sales USA Google Search: Prestige Sales LLC Google Search: Prestige Sales USA Google Search: Prestige Sales + Magazine Google Search: Jonathan Tork + Magazine Google Search: Diane Tork + Magazine Info on prestigesalesusa.com as of May 10, 2008 Domain name: prestigesalesusa.com Registrant Contact: Prestige Sales (SPRESTIGE65@YAHOO.COM) +1.6029784710 Fax: +1.6029784710 PO Box 82430 Phoenix, AZ 85071 US Administrative Contact: Prestige Sales (SPRESTIGE65@YAHOO.COM) +1.6029784710 Fax: +1.6029784710 PO Box 82430 Phoenix, AZ 85071 US Technical Contact: Prestige Sales (SPRESTIGE65@YAHOO.COM) +1.6029784710 Fax: +1.6029784710 PO Box 82430 Phoenix, AZ 85071 US Status: Active Name Servers: NS1.ACCUWEBHOSTING.BIZ NS2.ACCUWEBHOSTING.BIZ Creation date: 11 Dec 2007 18:54:01 Expiration date: 11 Dec 2010 18:54:01 Arizona Secretary of State: File Number: L-1415655-1 Corp. Name: PRESTIGE SALES LLC Domestic Address 24820 N 16TH AVE #110 PHOENIX, AZ 85085 Statutory Agent Information Agent Name: REGISTERED AGENT SOLUTIONS INC Agent Mailing/Physical Address: 638 N FIFTH AVE PHOENIX, AZ 85003 Agent Status: APPOINTED 12/17/2007 Agent Last Updated: 01/24/2008 Additional Incorporation Date: 12/17/2007 Corporate Life Period: PERPETUAL Domicile: ARIZONA County: MARICOPA Approval Date: 12/19/2007 Original Publish Date: 01/22/2008 Member Information ROBERT SPRUIELL MEMBER 24820 N 16TH AVE #110 PHOENIX,AZ 85085 Date of Taking Office: 12/17/2007 Last Updated: 12/19/2007 ---------------- Integrity Sales/Integrty 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 Nevada Secretary of State: Integrity Program: Integrity Program 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) Google Search: Karleen Hillery Google Search: Karleen Spruiell Google Search: Robert Spruiell 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 RIP-OFF Report.com Integrity Sales ripoff Phoenix Arizona *Consumer Comment ..New Info Read This Rip-Off Report On Integrity Sales Lookup: Karleen Hillery on Profiler: Karleen Hillery Profile 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. View Wisconsin DOJ Civil Lawsuit Against Karleen Hillery (case # 00-CV-0852) State of Wisconsin V. Karleen Hillery View Illinois Magazine Sales Fraud Lawsuit Against Karleen Hillery (case # 02-CH125) State of Illinois V. Karleen Hillery 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 |
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Door-to-Door Book Sales Book Sales Company: Southwestern Company Member: Direct Selling Association July 31, 2008 Bookseller not affiliated with local school districts By Andra Atteberry Staff Writer // andraa@nwanews.com The Benton County Daily Record Posted on Thursday, July 31, 2008 The Benton County Daily Record NWAnews.com Fayetteville, Arkansas nwanews.com Read This Story DMPG Info Clip: This company is lobbying against legislation in the state of Wisconsin that is specifically designed to protect Wisconsin kids and homeowners. To research this company: Research Southwestern Company To research legislation: Research Wisconsin Legislation |
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Door-to-Door Book Sales Book Sales Company: Southwestern Company Member: Direct Selling Association July 30, 2008 Book sales legitimate By Douglas Grant Staff Writer // douglasg@nwanews.com The Benton County Daily Record NWAnews.com Posted on Wednesday, July 30, 2008 The Benton County Daily Record NWAnews.com Fayetteville, Arkansas nwanews.com Read This Story DMPG Info Clip: This company is lobbying against legislation in the state of Wisconsin that is specifically designed to protect Wisconsin kids and homeowners. To research this company: Research Southwestern Company To research legislation: Research Wisconsin Legislation |
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Door-to-Door Book Sales Book Sales Company: Southwestern Company Member: Direct Selling Association July 30, 2008 Valley People Concerned About Salesmen Posted: 5:58 PM Jul 30, 2008 Last Updated: 8:15 PM Jul 30, 2008 Reporter: Michael Hyland Email Address: mhyland@whsv.com WHSV-TV3 Email Address: mhyland@whsv.com WHSV-TV3 whsv.com Augusta County, Virginia Read This Story DMPG Info Clip: This company is lobbying against legislation in the state of Wisconsin that is specifically designed to protect Wisconsin kids and homeowners. To research this company: Research Southwestern Company To research legislation: Research Wisconsin Legislation |
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Residents warned of book scam July 29, 2008 Residents warned of book scam By Andra Atteberry Staff Writer // andraa@nwanews.com Posted on Tuesday, July 29, 2008 The Benton County Daily Record NWAnews.com Northwest Arkansas' News Source Posted on Tuesday, July 29, 2008 The Benton County Daily Record nwanews.com Fayetteville, Arkansas Read This Story |
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the salesman July 29, 2008 the salesman posted by finnegan 07/29/08 hburgnews.com posted: July 29th, 2008 by finnegan filed under FYI, news & meta-news. hburgnews.com Harrisonburg, Virginia Read This Story |
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Missing Woman July 25, 2008 Pasco Police Searching For Missing Detroit Woman Last Seen In Pasco KNDU TV Posted: July 25, 2008 05:48 PM CDT Updated: July 26, 2008 02:34 AM CDT kndo.com Kennewick, Washington Read This Story DMPG Info Clip: Pasco Washington Police Department 828 N 22nd Ave Pasco, WA 99301 Records: (509) 545-3421 Non Emergency: (509) 545-3510 Website: http://www.pasco-wa.gov/department/Police |
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Magazine Salesmen Arrested On Forgery Charges July 23, 2008 Teen Faces Forgery Charges Following Door To Door Sales Effort FOX 17 NEWS WXMI July 23, 2008 WXMI fox17.trb.com Grand Rapids, Michigan Read This Story |
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Magazine Salesmen Arrested On Forgery Charges July 23, 2008 Forgery charges for solicitor in Kent County News Channel 3 CBS WWMT.com July 23, 2008 - 3:48PM Forgery charges for solicitor in Kent County wwmt.com Kalamazoo, Michigan Read This Story |
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Magazine Salesmen Arrested Magazine Company: Team Extreme Sales LLC July 23, 2008 3 arrested in Boonton Twp. for door-to-door soliciting By Tehani Schneider • Daily Record • July 23, 2008 Tehani Schneider can be reached at (973) 428-6631 or tschneider@gannett.com. (973) 428-6631 or tschneider@gannett.com Daily Record dailyrecord.com Morris County, New Jersey Read This Story |
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Magazine Sales Alert !!! July 23, 2008 Stenehjem: Use caution with magazine salespeople Herald Staff Report Grand Forks Herald Published Wednesday, July 23, 2008 Grand Forks Herald grandforksherald.com Grand Forks, North Dakoda Read This Story |
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Candy Sales July 22, 2008 Underage Sales Cases Tough To Prosecute Man Behind Teens For Tomorrow Sales Charged In Three Counties KETV.com POSTED: 10:27 pm CDT July 23, 2008 UPDATED: 10:41 pm CDT July 23, 2008 Omaha, Nebraska Read This Story |
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Magazine Sales Alert !!! July 22, 2008 Magazine Sales Warning KFYR-TV 5 7/22/2008 kfyrtv.com Bismarck, North Dakoda Read This Story |
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Magazine Salesman Banned Magazine Company: Alliance Service Company July 19, 2008 Judge banishes man from Chesco By: Michael Rellahan, Special to The Mercury The Murcury 07/19/2008 The Mercury pottsmerc.com Pottstown, Pennsylvania Read This Story |
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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 was Thomas Mack Hall, a founder of the National Field Selling Association. Website: http://www.allianceserviceco.com National Field Selling Association Member http://www.nfsa.com Google Search: "Alliance Service Company" + magazine: "Alliance Service Company" + magazine http://edumacation.com/AllianceServiceCompany |
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Magazine Salesman Banned Magazine Company: Alliance Service Company July 17, 2008 Judge banishes man from Chester County Michael P. Rellahan Daily Local News 07/17/2008 To contact staff writer Michael P. Rellahan, send an e-mail to mrellahan@dailylocal.com. Daily Local News dailylocal.com Westchester, Pennsylvania Read This Story |
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The Magazine Industry’s Dirty Little Secret Selling subscriptions and violence door-to-door July 17, 2008 jossip.com If this whole things sounds familiar, it should. Last February, the Times devoted 3,200 words to the matter, exposing a shadowy ring of fly-by-night operations that suck in young people hoping for a cool summer gig, only to have their sanity played with as their managers used mental and physical abuse to keep them meeting their quotas. Now, the Houston Press takes the story one step further , and in its attempt to confront the industry about its sales practice, shows just how blind an eye everyone is turning. While mainstream publishers and their trade group, the Magazine Publishers Association, say door-to-door sales account for a minuscule percentage of annual sales, this seemingly small percentage still translates into millions. It’s profitable enough to publishers like Condé Nast, Reader’s Digest and others that they still consider door-to-door sales a worthwhile venture in the 21st century. And without publishers’ participation, the industry would cease to exist. Which means, quite simply, that publishers have decided the collateral damage is worth the boost in circulation. […] Whenever there’s a tragedy tied to the industry, whether it be the death of one of the agents or of one of the customers, the industry mouthpieces issue impotent condemnations or reiterate the notion that door-to-door sales are just a sliver of the pie. The Magazine Publishers of America will give a variation of the following, which is a statement it gave to the Press: “Magazine Publishers of America condemns any door-to-door business that preys on vulnerable individuals or poses a threat to the public. [MPA] has long urged its members to identify any subscriptions coming from these sources and recommends that its members cease doing business with any company that does not fully comply with the law. Our guidelines and relations with subscription agents are clear, and we encourage all our members to follow them.” Which, based on the Press’s investigation, previous media stories and industry watchdogs, is complete nonsense. The object is to push subscriptions, and it scarcely matters how. […] If the MPA is unaware of dirty canvassing, then its only other choice is to somehow believe that door-to-door companies are the country’s single-biggest employer of college athletes in the marching band whose parents are dying of cancer and who are competing for a scholarship to study theater in London. Unwritten policies like this, and the industry’s general uncaring about how magazines are sold, so long as they’re sold, might seem out of place in a country that’s supposed to care about our young people’s well-being. Hell, doesn’t Conde Nast have magazines geared toward just that? Compare America’s way of doing things, then, with the magazine market in India , where — surprise — young people are also responsible for pushing magazines: Publishers in India say the system is something they have little control over, and liken street-side magazine distribution to the American paper route, a way for children to earn a little extra money. But the children selling the magazines tell a different tale. “If on a particular day my sales are poor, then I am abused by my employer, at times beaten as well,” said Sonu Kunar, a 12-year-old boy selling a variety of local and Western titles at the intersection of two busy New Delhi roads. Sonu says he works from 9 in the morning until 8 in the evening, and earns about 1,000 rupees, or $23.15, a month. He lives with 13 other children in a small room, and sends all the money he earns back to his family in the eastern state of Bihar. [NYT] Honing this craft in the U.S. doesn’t sound any safer. Related: India’s Booming Magazine Market Is Just Like America’s, Complete With Violence Toward Sales Crews Related: India’s Booming Magazine Market Is Just Like America’s, Complete With Violence India’s Booming Magazine Market Is Just Like America’s, Complete With Violence Toward Sales Crews While the American magazine market basically falls apart, things are just hopping over in India, where the world’s largest democracy is pumping out local editions of Vogue, GQ, Maxim, and, among the newest arrivals, People. (We hear Bollywood is big.) What’s this you say about ad page declines? Circulation drop offs? Not in India, where ad pages are expected to grow by 20 percent to $302 million this year. So what’s so different about the Indian market? Not that much, actually. Besides the ads for skin lightening cream that fill women’s magazines — Estee Lauder does brisk business reinforcing racist stereotypes — there are more similarities than anything. Among them: True to its brand, Maxim pushes the taste boundary; Women’s magazines are service-y; Listicles are big. Oh — and if the magazine pushers working the streets to unload these books don’t meet their numbers, they get their asses beat. India relies on an unorthodox street-side distribution system for more than half of all of its magazine sales. In major cities, packs of young boys stand in traffic islands in the middle of highways, holding up the latest copy of a glossy, and yelling “Vogue, madam? Indian Vogue! Golf Digest?” into the windows of stopped cars. While many of these new magazines may cost 100 rupees an issue, these boys usually earn much less than that a day; they receive a commission from their boss, usually a middleman who gets a commission from what he sells from a magazine distributor, who in turn buys the magazines from the publisher for a fraction of the cover price. Publishers in India say the system is something they have little control over, and liken street-side magazine distribution to the American paper route, a way for children to earn a little extra money. But the children selling the magazines tell a different tale. “If on a particular day my sales are poor, then I am abused by my employer, at times beaten as well,” said Sonu Kunar, a 12-year-old boy selling a variety of local and Western titles at the intersection of two busy New Delhi roads. Sonu says he works from 9 in the morning until 8 in the evening, and earns about 1,000 rupees, or $23.15, a month. He lives with 13 other children in a small room, and sends all the money he earns back to his family in the eastern state of Bihar. [NYT] Interesting, because that’s not so dissimilar as to what American magazine sales crews face: If sellers missed quota regularly or complained about the job, Mr. Simpson, 23, said he hit them while in their room or when they were alone in the van. On more than 30 occasions, he estimated, he and several other enforcers drew blood. In three instances, ambulances were called, he said. Dealing with the police was not a problem. “You have one kid saying he was jumped and 20 others plus two managers saying he stole something or broke into a room and assaulted a girl,” Mr. Simpson said. “Who do you think the cops are going to believe?” Daivet McClinton, 23, an enforcer who worked with Mr. Simpson, said talking in front of others about wanting to quit invited the worst beatings. Asked if they ever went overboard, both men recalled an incident in November 2005 involving an 18-year-old recruit from Dayton, Ohio, named Rudy. “All we were told was that Rudy had shoved and disrespected the manager,” Mr. Simpson said. For 10 uninterrupted minutes in a motel stairwell in San Francisco, Mr. Simpson, Mr. McClinton and four other enforcers beat Rudy unconscious, Mr. Simpson and Mr. McClinton said. One held his mouth shut. Two others pinned down his arms and legs. Tearing off his shirt, they pressed a flaming lighter into his back. Mr. Simpson kicked him in the face and body. “I stopped because I ran out of breath,” Mr. Simpson said. Rudy, they said, was taken away in an ambulance. [NYT] Jul 14, 2008 The Magazine Industry’s Dirty Little Secret Selling subscriptions and violence door-to-door Read This Story Related: India’s Booming Magazine Market Is Just Like America’s, Complete With Violence Toward Sales Crews Read This Story |
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Houston Press - Houston, Texas What Mainstream Publishers Don't Want You to Know About Door-to-Door Magazine Sales That kid at your door with a magazine order form will tell you a story -- part sad, part hopeful. The truth will be infinitely worse than you can imagine. July 17, 2008 By Craig Malisow Houston Press published: July 17, 2008 |
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Documents detail wild, deadly brawl in hotel July 15, 2008 Documents detail wild, deadly brawl in hotel BY DAVID OVALLE Miami Herald Posted on Tue, Jul. 15, 2008 OPPOSED DRUG USE He was also known for his adamant opposition to drug use. His group of salespeople had been staying at the Golden Nugget, 18555 Collins Ave., for several weeks. Cisneros, 42, had no connection to the group. Cisneros, who claimed to remodel and restore homes, was living in room 205 of the Golden Nugget with his girlfriend. She was out of town during the stabbing. He has recorded 13 arrests since 2000, the most recent a cocaine possession and resisting arrest with violence conviction two years ago. The night before the stabbing, Spruiell knocked on room 205 and demanded to know if Cisneros had sold Johnson's girlfriend cocaine. Cisneros admitted he gave the woman cocaine ''as a gift,'' he said. He told detectives that the next morning about 8:10 a.m., Johnson and Spruiell knocked on the door. When Cisneros answered, Spruiell grabbed him by the neck, pushed him in and threw him to the ground, he said. Cisneros alleged that Johnson followed, locking the door. He recalled the men began beating him as he lay between two twin beds inside the cramped room. Spruiell ''put his fingers down my throat, and I couldn't talk and then he put his fingers inside my nose,'' Cisneros said. ``The other guy got a lock, which I had on top, by the air-conditioning unit, and then started hitting me with the lock and I was going in and out of consciousness.'' `NOT YOUR GIRLFRIEND' Cisneros remembered Johnson saying: ``You don't have to have to give her anything. She is not your girlfriend.'' Next, Cisneros claimed, Spruiell tried flipping him over, threatening to sexually assault and kill him. Bursting free, Cisneros jumped over the bed. Johnson picked up a bicycle belonging to Cisneros' girlfriend and threw it. Then Johnson attacked Cisneros with a brown knife with a five-inch blade, although he wasn't sure where the knife came from, Cisneros said. They grappled over the weapon -- Cisneros claimed he wrestled it away and ``swung a couple of times.'' Smith, Johnson's attorney, suggested Cisneros was the real aggressor with the knife. ''It would be very interesting to hear Mr. Cisneros explain how Mr. Johnson was stabbed on the back of the right shoulder and the side of the left arm,'' Smith said. Next, Cisneros jumped away near the vanity. He said: ``I started throwing at him some air fresheners. And then I picked up a chair, and I threw it at him.'' He unlocked the door, grabbed a hat and his cellphone and ran out to call police. Spruiell followed, collapsing outside the room, and died. Following a blood trail, officers found Johnson inside room 220, nursing cuts to the chest and arm. Johnson, at Aventura Hospital, told hospital staff they went to confront a ''Cuban guy'' about selling drugs. Meanwhile, Sunny Isles Officer Caridad Brizuela found Cisneros sitting in a chair outside the room with ``obvious signs of injury to his face and head.'' He stammered to her, according to her report, that he and Spruiell were inside the room when two young men -- one presumably Johnson -- ''barged into his room'' and ``began beating both he and the deceased.'' The mention of a third person, and Spruiell as a beating victim, raises questions about Cisneros' changing stories, attorney Smith said. He pointed to Cisneros' criminal past. ''I don't think giving false information to police is anything new to Mr. Cisneros,'' Smith said. Miami Herald miamiherald.com Miami, Florida Read This Story |
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Job from Hell July 13, 2008 Job from Hell Attleboro trio recall horror of magazine-selling stint BY RICK FOSTER SUN CHRONICLE STAFF The Sun Chronicle Last modified: Sunday, July 13, 2008 10:30 AM EDT But Rodabaugh, who accepted an offer to travel to the Philadelphia area to join a street sales crew, along with her boyfriend and their roommate, said they found neither fun nor a bootstrap opportunity. Instead, she said they were dropped off in unfamiliar locations, forced to walk up to 10 hours a day and were housed with up to 40 other young salespeople in a threadbare New Jersey motel. The 19-year-old, her boyfriend, George Tibbetts, 23, and their roommate, Derek Isbister, 21, left before completing a three-day training period when Rodabaugh's grandmother agreed to wire them bus fare. But along the way, the Attleboro trio said they witnessed lying and misrepresentation by magazine salespeople, rampant drug use and mistreatment of crew members. In one instance, she said, one saleswoman stole checks from a residential mailbox and coerced her to sign them - presumably so they could be cashed. "It was unbelievable," Tibbetts said. "We were all looking at each other, asking one another what are we doing here?" Rodabaugh said she and her friends were desperate to earn money, all having lost their jobs within the same week. But she now regrets urging the others to take the chance. "I can't believe I was so naive to go along with it," said Rodabaugh, who along with the men have since told their story to the FBI. Rodabaugh and Tibbetts said that after agreeing initially to take a bus to Philadelphia, they were given tickets to Wilmington, Del., where they were picked up by a crew representative. As trainees, each was given $20 a day to help them get started. Most of the time, however, they were broke. Crew members and trainees performed daily calisthenics and attended meetings at which their handlers "amped up" their charges by having them repeat slogans and sales routines. Nights were devoted to partying, punctuated with drug use and underage drinking, Tibbetts said. During their days on the road, Tibbetts and Rodabaugh said they spent up to 10 hours a day walking and canvassing neighborhoods through 100-degree heat mixed with thunderstorms. Crews were transported from neighborhood to neighborhood in vans whose drivers were sometimes so reckless that Tibbets said he literally had to hang onto his seat at speeds up to 80 mph. Tibbetts said he and his friends weren't the only ones shocked by the conditions and business practices of the crew. Eight other prospects also dropped out over a three-day period. Sadly, said Earlene Williams, director of Parent Watch, which tracks the activities of itinerant magazine solicitors, such reports are neither rare nor isolated to major metropolitan areas. Labor abuses against crew members, mostly young and with few skills or job prospects, are widespread, she said. In the past, sales crew members who failed to produce or stray from the rules have been beaten, had their commissions withheld , been abruptly fired and dropped off at the side of the road, she said. Sometimes, members who make their team look bad by not selling enough subscriptions are subject to isolation or humiliating treatments, like being forced to run a gauntlet of jeering fellow sales people. Often, young women end up sleeping with their titular managers or supervisors. "It's one way to protect yourself," Williams said. That's not the worst that can happen. Phil Ellenbecker's teenage daughter worked for an itinerant sales crew for only two days in 1999 before a van, driven by a serial traffic offender, overturned in Janesville, Wis., killing her and half the 14 young salespeople inside. Ellenbecker later formed the Dedicated Memorial Parents Group to expose abuses in the door-to-door sales industry. Contrary to enticements found in advertisements, Ellenbecker said, most crew members earn relatively little in commissions. And with $20 or more a day deducted for hotel costs, many members end up heavily in debt to the operators. "It can be compared to indentured servitude," Ellenbecker said. It's different for those who run the crews. They reap the benefits of profits earned by the salespeople who work for them. On his MySpace site, the supervisor of the crew that employed Tibbetts and Rodenbaugh claimed to earn from $45,000 to $60,000 per year. Neither the supervisor, the company that employs him nor the National Field Sales Association, which represents door-to-door sales organizations, returned calls from a reporter. Howard Polskin, a representative of the Magazine Publisher's Association industry umbrella group, said subscriptions obtained through door-to-door sales represent a tiny fraction - estimated at 1 percent or less - of the magazine business. He said the MPA has established strict guidelines for solicitors that require background checks for sales personnel and ban false or deceptive selling practices. A statement released by the MPA said the group "has long urged its members to identify any subscriptions" coming from organizations that prey on the vulnerable or pose a danger to the public, "and recommends that its members cease doing business with any company that does not fully comply with the law." Nevertheless, salespeople are constantly under pressure from their bosses to make sales quotas, watchdog groups say. Rodabaugh said that during her sojourn in a vehicle with three other women, salespeople frequently represented themselves as local residents to gain the trust of potential customers. She said one worker took a box of blank checks from one house's mailbox - a federal offense - and coerced her to endorse them. Subscription orders are frequently paid by check. Williams said crew members typically work as independent contractors to avoid minimum wage laws and other requirements for employees. Workers usually bunk three to four to a hotel room and are dispatched on their daily rounds in vans driven by a car handler. Crews are usually dropped off and picked up four to five times a day, knocking on doors in different neighborhoods. After two or more weeks based in a particular region, crews move on to other parts of the country. Salespeople are usually given a quota of five sales a day or 30 sales a week, Williams said, which can be raised later based on production. Those who fulfill certain sales criteria may be told they can earn points toward a $1,000 prize or a trip to Disney World. A 2007 investigation by The New York Times, however, found that many crew members made little money, saved less and were subject to violence and taunting. The report said the earnings of many members was kept on the books for later payment, rather than paid to them immediately. Many states, but not Massachusetts, have attempted to control traveling crews by requiring permits for door-to-door solicitations. But even in those states, companies often flout the rules, moving their operations rapidly to stay ahead of law enforcement. While riding with a sales crew as a trainee in New Jersey, Rodabaugh said her van driver was stopped several times for not having the proper permits, and then was yelled at when her crew did not make enough sales. State Rep. Cleon Turner, D-Yarmouth, has been trying to push through a bill that would require door-to-door sales firms to register with local police before beginning sales campaigns. And citizens would be able to have their homes placed on a "no-knock" list if they don't want solicitors calling at their doors. The bill, which was promoted by the Yarmouth Police, was occasioned by reports of crimes, harassment and intimidation during and after walk-up solicitations, Yarmouth police Lt. Steven G. Xiarhos said. So far, however, the bill has made little progress. A few Bay State communities, such as Amesbury, have adopted local ordinances requiring salespeople to register with the police. Crimes by door-to-door solicitors are all too common. Ellenbecker's group, which often aids police in investigating crimes related to door-to-door selling, currently has 27 alleged felony cases on its books, including a woman customer who was raped and murdered by a salesman. In May, Beverly police arrested a 25-year-old Philadelphia man on a charge of assaulting a 13-year-old girl near her home. Police, who said the man tried to grab the teenager, classified the incident as an attempted abduction. Both the suspect and two companions working for a magazine-selling crew were convicted felons, according to the police report. The same trio also visited several other Massachusetts communities last spring, including Seekonk. Most sales crews are run by independent companies rather than magazine publishers. Selling organizations get their magazine supply either through contracts with publishers or through clearinghouses linked with individual sales organizations. The third-party connection makes it possible for publishers to eschew any responsibility for sales crews or their tactics while still reaping the benefits of subscription revenue, said Parent Watch's Williams. In most states, door-to-door salesmen are subject to little regulation, Ellenbecker said. However, the National Field Selling Association maintains a code of ethics for sales organizations to promote fair treatment of salespeople and to keep out criminals. For example, the NFSA code requires that blind ads for sales crews contain "sufficient information so that an individual may know the basic nature of the offer." However, an advertisement placed in The Sun Chronicle by the sales group that hired the local trio made no mention of selling magazines or where or under what circumstances trainees would live or earn money. A series of ads placed by the same company on Internet help-wanted sites carried the enticement, "Live Like A Rock Star." The NFSA code also specifies that background checks are to be conducted to ensure that salespeople are of good character. Tibbetts and Rodenbaugh said they were told about the background checks, but were not aware that any checks were actually conducted on them. The NFSA, which did not respond to a Sun Chronicle reporter's phone call, does not publish a list of the members who subscribe to its code on its Web site. Although disgusted with what they called abusive treatment, unsafe driving and deceptive practices, the Attleboro trio said they're happy about at least one thing. "We're glad to be back," Tibbetts said. Ellenbecker, whose daughter died under conditions similar to those endured by the local trio, said he hopes consumers who know the facts won't patronize sales crews whose members are likely to be exploited young people. "If someone comes to your door, and you don't know them or can't be certain they're with a legitimate group, don't do business with them," he said. "You're just feeding the monster." The Sun Chronicle www.thesunchronicle.com Attleboro, Massachusetts Read This Story |
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Door-to-Door Magazine Sales Warning !!! July 12, 2008 Magazine Sales Scam Hooks Bellevue Couple Be careful with door-to-door sales Posted: 8:39 PM Jul 12, 2008 WOWT Channel 6 wowt.com Last Updated: 3:18 PM Jul 13, 2008 Email Address: sixonline@wowt.com aarp.org National Consumers League Better Business Bureau wowt.com Omaha, Nebraska Read This Story |
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Lewd salesman suspect turns himself in Door-to-Door Cleaner Company: Austin Diversified Products July 12, 2008 Lewd salesman suspect turns himself in The Standard-Examiner standard.net Saturday, July 12, 2008 (Updated 11:50 a.m.) Clearfield police seek lewd salesman CLEARFIELD — Police here want to arrest a door-to-door salesman suspected of exposing himself to women, but so far no victims willing to participate in a prosecution have come forward. Two victims unwilling to participate in a prosecution complained about the man who was selling cleaning supplies, Clearfield Assistant Police Chief Greg Krusi said. The man is 23 years old and black, Krusi said. One woman said the man exposed his genitals to her while the other woman said he groped her breast. The women’s reports were made independent of one another on Wednesday. Police reportedly know the man’s name, which Ogden motel he is staying at and his employer. Krusi said the man works for Austin Diversified Products of Harvey, Ill., and is here with a sales team that is leaving soon. “They will be in the Davis-Weber area until Sunday,” Krusi said. Krusi said he does not know why the two complainants who called are not willing to prosecute. “For whatever reason, they’re not willing to go any further than just to report it to us,” Krusi said. Though police have not heard back from the company headquarters, Krusi said the man’s immediate supervisor is aware of the issue. “The thing that concerned us is … our patrol guy called (the suspect’s) immediate supervisor here and he was aware of the misconduct,” Krusi said. “So we know this guy is pretty brazen about his sexual approaches.” Police in Sunset, Syracuse, Layton and Clinton said they are unaware of any similar complaints. Anyone with information should call Clearfield Police 525-2806. standard.net Ogden, Utah Read This Story Clearfield Police Department 55 S State St Clearfield, UT 84015 (801) 525-2800 Detective Denise Hornando www.clearfieldcity.org |
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August 3, 2008
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Door-to-door salesman charged with sexual battery July 11, 2008 Door-to-door salesman charged with sexual battery By Cleon Wall E-mail: cwall@ksl.com KSL Television & Radio ksl.com July 11th, 2008 @ 2:00pm E-mail: cwall@ksl.com KSL Television & Radio ksl.com Salt Lake City, Utah Read This Story Clearfield Police Department 55 S State St Clearfield, UT 84015 (801) 525-2800 Detective Denise Hornando www.clearfieldcity.org |
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Police warn of salesman July 11, 2008 Police warn of salesman By Ben Winslow Deseret News Published: July 11, 2008 E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com Deseret News deseretnews.com Salt Lake City, Utah Read This Story Clearfield Police Department 55 S State St Clearfield, UT 84015 (801) 525-2800 Detective Denise Hornando www.clearfieldcity.org |
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Benjamin Suazo Murder Lawsuit Magazine Company: WorldWide Readers Service aka: World Wide Readers Service Magazine Clearinghouse: WorldWide Readers Service July 8, 2008 Silva Lanes 'not going anywhere' Bowling alley seeks protection from wrongful death lawsuit with Chapter 11 bankruptcy Bob Quick | The New Mexican SantaFe NewMexican 7/8/2008 - 7/9/08 Contact Bob Quick at 986-3011 or bobquick@sfnewmexican.com. SantaFe NewMexican sfe.live.mediaspanonline.com Albuquerque, New Mexico Read This Story |
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Sign Petition to Protect Mobile Sales Crew Workers July 6, 2008 Your help needed. Sign Petition to Protect Mobile Sales Crew Workers Paul Misner Filed Under Sales, Spirituality smartchive.com support.Paul Misner pmisner@cucc-md.org July 6, 2008 Sign Petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Protect_Crews For over 30 years, traveling sales crews of young adults are recruited into magazine sales jobs with promises of making money, but essentially are held in an environment equivalent to that of an indentured servant or share cropper. I met two young women at my house who told me this story. They are both salespeople recruited from the inner city to work on these sales crews. These women, 19 and 21, are both employed by a company called Chapel Sales. These salespeople are required to work 80+ hour days, often doing door to door sales in dangerous urban areas. The company holds their earnings in an account for them, and if they leave, their earnings are in jeopardy. Their day starts at 8:30 AM, and they work until 9:00 PM. If they don’t meet quota, they have to go to another meeting at 11:00 PM. One of the workers told me that she was denied money for food, because she didn’t sell, and had to watch others in her group eat. That same salesperson was also the victim of a robbery while selling in an inner-city apartment building. I’ve done some research, and found that these kids are often the victims of crime, and many of them have been raped, robbed, murdered, or killed in automobile related fatalities. In the past, if local authorities got wind of this activity, they would simply move these crews to another state. The salespeople are classified as independent contractors largely for the purpose of bypassing labor laws. I spoke at length with Phil Ellenbacker, webmaster of www.travelingsalescrews.info Phil’s daughter was one of 7 children killed in a van driven by one of these work crews. Phil told me that the driver was driving on a suspended license. How can you help? Research The New York times did an expose’ of magazine sales crews, and their practices. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/21/us/21magcrew.html?ex=1329714000&en=be91678aaac7038d&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss Parent Watch is a clearinghouse for information on child and youth labor abuse in the traveling door-to-door sales crew industry. Traveling Sales Crew Info is another site. www.parentwatch.org www.travelingsalescrews.info Sign the petition: As members of a faith community, we have a unique ability to pressure the Magazine Publishers Association and the Federal Government to give the same basic working conditions for sales crews as we expect for ourselves and our families. Please sign the petition at the link below. http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Protect_Crews Spread the word Pass this email onto your faith community, and the faith community of your friends. It’s only by spreading the word that we will get the number of people needed to generate enough attention to this issue. Be ready to act Magazine publishers receive between 2 & 3 percent of their revenues from traveling sales crews. If our recommendations are not accepted, it may be necessary to place financial pressure on the industry to meet our demands. This may require a magazine subscription boycott. Finally If you are approached by a member of a traveling sales crew, do not support them by purchasing a subscription. The best thing that you can do is refer them to an organization like Parent Watch. Thank you in advance for your support. Paul Misner pmisner@cucc-md.org smartchive.com support.Paul Misner pmisner@cucc-md.org Read This Story |
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Magazine Sales Agent Arrested For Breaking and Entering and Robbery Magazine Company: Pargon Sales Magazine Clearinghouse: Midwest Clearing July 3, 2008 Solicitor arrested for breaking and entering By Ben Aaronson/Staff Writer wickedlocal.com Thu Jul 03, 2008, 11:16 AM EDT Lincoln police Wednesday night arrested a female solicitor in connection with a Monday robbery on Beaver Pond Road. Loretta Goode, 21, of Center Moriches, N.Y. was arraigned Thursday morning at Concord District Court on charges of breaking and entering with intent to commit a felony and larceny from a building. According to Police Chief Kevin Mooney, the homeowners reported their wallets missing on Tuesday evening, July 1. The husband and wife reported a solicitor had been on their property the previous day and provided a physical description of the person, Mooney said. Mooney said the woman was selling magazines with a group called Paragon Sales, having been placed there by a Chicago-based agency called Equal Opportunity. Mooney said Paragon Sales registered about a dozen salesmen with the Police Department last week in accordance with the town’s solicitation bylaw. Police suspended the company’s operation until the investigation was complete. Mooney said the management company was very upset about the incident and encouraged Goode to come forward. “The cooperation from the company was outstanding,” he said. On Wednesday, July 2, Goode turned herself into police and admitted entering the house through an unlocked door and taking the wallets, Mooney said. Goode was arrested and her solicitation license revoked, he said. Mooney said this was the first such incident in town related to Paragon Sales, which sells magazines in the area every spring. “They’re here legitimately working hard 99 percent of the time,” he said. Mooney said the larceny should serve as a reminder to residents to keep their property secured. According to Mooney, the homeowners in this particular incident had only left the house to take a short walk when the larceny occurred. “[If] you leave your house, lock your doors. It doesn’t take very long, so leaving for a short time doesn’t mean you can leave your house unsecured,” he said. “That goes for motor vehicles too.” Mooney credited Lt. Kevin Kennedy for his work in leading the investigation and making the arrest. Mooney said identifying the suspect would have been much more difficult without the solicitation bylaw, which requires solicitors to register with the town. wickedlocal.com Concord, Massachusetts Read This Story |
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Magazine Salesman Fugitive From Justice Arrested July 3, 2008 Missouri man faces fugitive charges Police News Daily News Transcript Compiled by Daily News staff writer Lindsey Parietti Posted Jul 03, 2008 @ 11:56 PM - Compiled by Daily News staff writer Lindsey Parietti Daily News Transcript Compiled by Daily News staff writer Lindsey Parietti dailynewstranscript.com Norwood, Massachusetts Read This Story |
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Four men in Salem charged in assault of magazine salesman Magazine Company: Pargon Sales Magazine Clearinghouse: Midwest Clearing July 2, 2008 Four men in Salem charged in assault of magazine salesman BY DERRICK PERKINS Salem Observer NewHampshire.com Published Wednesday, July 02, 2008 2:55 PM by Salem Editor Salem Observer cs.newhampshire.com NewHampshire.com Read This Story |
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Door-to-Door Magazine Salesmen Arrested July 1, 2008 Magazine salesman charged after retaliation for rejection By LISA BACKUS, Journal Register News Service BristolPress.com Posted on Tue, Jul 1, 2008 bristolpress.com Bristol, Connecticut Read This Story |
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Loves Park aldermen OK soliciting law July 1, 2008 Loves Park aldermen OK soliciting law By Mike Wiser RRSTAR.COM Posted Jul 01, 2008 @ 11:12 PM Staff writer Mike Wiser can be reached at 815-987-1377 or mwiser@rrstar.com. RRSTAR.COM Rockford, Illinois Read This Story |
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Magazine Salesman Fugitive From Justice Arrested June 30, 2008 Police Blotter Arrests wickedlocal.com Mon Jun 30, 2008, 06:31 PM EDT Needham, Massachusetts Read This Story |
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Salesman assaulted by co-workers June 28, 2008 Salesman assaulted by co-workers By James A. Kimble Staff writer The Eagle-Tribune Online Published: June 28, 2008 12:06 am Staff writer The Eagle-Tribune Online eagletribune.com Salem, New Hampshire Read This Story |
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Four arrested after fight in Salem Wendy's parking lot June 27, 2008 Four arrested after fight in Salem Wendy's parking lot By DERRICK PERKINS Union Leader Correspondent Friday, Jun. 27, 2008 Union Leader Correspondent gamma.unionleader.com Salem, New Hampshire Read This Story |
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Magazine Salesman Assaults Police Officers June 26, 2008 Police: Man illegally selling magazines assaults Lowell officers By Robert Mills, rmills@lowellsun.com The Sun Article Last Updated: 06/26/2008 06:41:21 AM EDT The Sun lowellsun.com Lowell, Massachusetts Read This Story |
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Magazine Sales Scam Alert !!! June 25, 2008 People beware of magazine scam By KAREN KAMPWIRTH Letter to the editor Galesburg.com Posted Jun 25, 2008 @ 11:04 AM By KAREN KAMPWIRTH Galesburg, Illinois Read This Story |
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Men posing as school reps June 24, 2008 Men posing as school reps Julia Textor News Staff Sherwood Park News Tuesday June 24, 2008 Anyone who has information is asked to contact the RCMP at 467-7741. julia@sherwoodparknews.com News Staff julia@sherwoodparknews.com Sherwood Park News 168 Kaska Road Sherwood Park, AB T8A 4G7 Phone: (780) 464-0033 Fax: (780) 464-8512 Read This Story |
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Magazine Salesman Arrested June 23, 2008 Police: Salesman Arrested After Flapping Arms Like Chicken nbc30.com POSTED: 10:40 am EDT June 23, 2008 UPDATED: 4:28 pm EDT June 23, 2008 Farmington, Connecticut Read This Story |
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Door-to Door Sales Cleaning Product Scam !!! June 23, 2008 UNR impostors soliciting money door-to-door in alleged scam Associated Press kmph.com June 23, 2008 6:34 PM ET kmph.com Reno, Nevada Read This Story |
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Door-to Door Magazine Sales Scam !!! June 19, 2008 Door-to-door scams are obtaining business licenses 'Always Helping People LLC' sells magazine subscriptions, but no one ever receives their purchase By Amelia Waters KRCG-TV CBS Thursday, June 19, 2008 at 4:14 p.m. The scenario is happening in Fulton and Mexico Missouri. On Wednesday KRCG reported a door-to-door scam. Young salesmen that are affiliating themselves with the business 'Always Helping People LLC' retrieved a business license to go to door-to-door. "Basically a young man came to the door and he was selling magazines, but he didn't want to get that point across as much as the company he was working for," stated Fulton resident Marcia Smith. The company 'Always Helping People LLC' is based out of Prosper, Texas. But when writing out a check to purchase subscriptions it is made to F.N.T Inc. After purchasing two subscriptions Marcia Smith decided to research the company. Not finding anything online she called city hall, and found the young salesman did have a business license. "I questioned city hall a couple times, well how do you know he's legitimate? Or do you do any background checks, or does it even run it through your Better Business Bureau? And she answered no to all of that," said Smith. Smith stated the woman also said she assumes the salesmen would not go to the trouble to get a business license if they were not legitimate. City leaders were unavailable for comment on camera today. So I checked around in other communities. I found getting a business license is surprisingly easy. "The first thing we do is we ask you to fill out an application, then we'd send you over the highway patrol," said Steve Schlueter, director of finance for Jefferson City. A person needs to have two forms of id, with one photo id, if they clear a background check they go back to the city clerks office, and if approved, they get a license. Giving a scenario to Schlueter I asked, "Let's say I come and I want to go door-to-door and sell magazine subscriptions, here's my drivers license, and I belong to this company with no phone number, I have no record, that means I could door-to-door and scam people and then take off?" "You could, I mean if you fill all the obligations and there's no record, yes if you met all that criteria you could go out and start soliciting," said Schlueter. Something to think about the next time someone comes knocking on your door. The Fulton city clerks office does ask for two forms of ID and does perform a background check with the police. The Better Business Bureau in Dallas, Texas has 37 complaints in the last 36 months on 'Always Helping People LLC.' BBB officials said all the complaints are closed because the company cannot be found. Law enforcement officials in Prosper, Texas said they tried sending a letter to the P.O. Box the company claims to have as an address but it no longer exists. KRCG-TV CBS krcg.com Jefferson City, Missouri Read This Story |
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Door-to-Door Solicitation Ordinance and No Knock Passed June 18, 2008 Solicitation Ordinance claremontonline.net The new ordinance was effective on June 12, 2008. This ordinance replaces a prior ordinance that was determined unconstitutional by the courts. In summary, the new ordinance requires all persons, businesses and organizations wishing to solicit in the City for any money, funds or contributions to obtain a permit. The permit process is less extensive for political, religious, and charitable organizations. Permits are not required if the contact does not involve the solicitation of money, funds, or contributions. All solicitors, including those issued a permit, are prohibited from soliciting at any location listed on the "Do Not Knock" Registry, or from any location with a sign posted prohibiting solicitation. Key Elements of the Solicitation Ordinance DEFINITIONS Charitable 501(c)(3) Organizations - Boy & Girl Scouts, youth athletic clubs, etc. School clubs - public or private schools Solicitation Requesting directly or indirectly: Money, credit, funds, contributions, personal property or anything of value Taking or attempting to take orders for the sale of goods, wares, merchandise, or services Providing a description of future delivery or for services to be performed in the future, either in person or by distributing fliers and leaflets Selling and making immediate delivery any goods, wares, merchandise or services Non-Commercial Solicitation Purpose of solicitation is political, religious, or charitable Commercial Solicitation All solicitation that is not non-commercial Solicitation is Not Communication that is political, religious, or charitable in nature - AND - does not involve solicitation of money, funds, contributions, or anything of value Delivery of items ordered by resident or business (newspapers, groceries, etc.) PERMITS: COMMERCIAL & NON-COMMERCIAL Commercial Permit (Applications available at the Police Department) All persons soliciting and employer must obtain a permit Must apply for permit at least 30 days prior to proposed solicitation Must pay permit fee based on cost recovery formula; fee as of June 2008 is $324 Permit valid for 90 days City business tax certificate also required Must provide proof of insurance All applicants must undergo livescan fingerprinting and criminal background check by the Police Department A permit can be denied/revoked for misrepresentation on application, convictions for violent crimes, sexual assault, possession of drugs, theft, fraud, or burglary No permit will be issued to an applicant (company) for 1 year following a revocation of any solicitor permit issued to the same company The Police Department will issue a solicitor permit ID card with photo. Sample Commercial Solicitor Permit ID
Commercial Solicitor Permit (front)
Commercial Solicitor Permit (back) Non-Commercial Permit (Applications available at City Hall, Finance Department) Only the organization is required to obtain a permit; a permit is not required for individual solicitors Individual solicitors must carry identification and authorization to act on behalf of the organization If a 501(c )(3) organization, the organization must provide a letter of determination approving tax exempt status, updated annually If public or private school, they must provide a letter from school administrator verifying school affiliation, updated annually Must apply for a permit at least 30 days prior to proposed solicitation Permits are valid for 1 year Children under the age of 12 shall be accompanied by an adult REGULATIONS Establishes a "Do Not Knock" Registry Residents can submit their address for inclusion New entries are effective the 1st of the following month Resident entries must be renewed annually Solicitors are required to obtain an updated list on the 1st of each month (available at City Hall, Finance Department) All solicitors must abide by the Do Not Knock Registry Anyone who is required to obtain a permit (commercial & non-commercial) cannot solicit: At any address listed on the Do Not Knock Registry At any residence or business with a "No Solicitation" or similar sign From dusk (30 minutes past sunset) to 8 a.m. At certain locations: bus stop, public transportation vehicles or facilities, public parking lots or parking structures, outdoor dining areas Includes solicitation in person or with flier or leaflet Abusive Solicitation Prohibited Coming within 3 feet of, or touching, person solicited Blocking or impeding the passage of person solicited Continuing solicitation after person solicited has objected to solicitation Following person solicited after person has objected to solicitation Threatening or using offensive words City Resident & Business Participation City residents and business persons can sign up for their address to be listed on the "Do Not Knock" Registry. Sign up forms available on this website (below), in the Police Department lobby, and at City Hall. Sign up forms will also be mailed out with the July 2008 refuse bill. "No Solicitation" stickers and signs indicating inclusion on the "Do Not Knock" Registry will soon be available for purchase at City Hall; this website will be updated when those items are available. A sticker or sign is not required for those listed on the Registry, but may be helpful to prevent unwanted solicitors. Violations should be reported immediately to the Claremont Police Department by calling (909) 399-5411. Enforcement of violations involving solicitation fliers or leaflets requires that a person be identified who is actually seen distributing a flier or leaflet at a location listed on the Registry or a location with a "No Solicitation" sign posted. The entire ordinance is available on the City website (click here), Section 5.40. It is also in PDF format in following link. (Adobe Acrobat, 40KB) Complete Solicitation Ordinance (Adobe Acrobat, 40KB) Sign Up for the "Do Not Knock" Registry Sign up to be listed on the "Do Not Knock" Registry at the Police Department lobby or City Hall. You can also download the Registry application below and mail to City Hall. "Do Not Knock" Registry Application (Adobe Acrobat, 117KB) Solicitors Non-Commercial Non-Commercial solicitors can apply for a solicitation permit at: Claremont City Hall Finance Department 207 N. Harvard Ave., Claremont, CA 91711. Contact: (909) 399-5398, jmarinelli@ci.claremont.ca.us Click here to download the Non-Commercial Solicitation Application (Adobe Acrobat, 42KB) Commercial Commercial solicitors can apply for a solicitation permit at: Claremont Police Department 570 W. Bonita Ave., Claremont, CA 91711 Administrative Services Bureau, (909) 399-5407, bherold@ci.claremont.ca.us Click here to download the Commercial Solicitation Application Packet (Adobe Acrobat, 59KB) © 1999-2008 City of Claremont ~ 207 Harvard Ave., Claremont, CA 91711 909-399-5460 ~ www.ci.claremont.ca.us 207 Harvard Ave., Claremont, CA 91711 909-399-5460 ~ www.ci.claremont.ca.us Read This Story |
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Door-to-Door Magazine Sales Alert !!! June 16, 2008 Town bylaw on door-to-door solicitors enforced By Mary Ford Mon Jun 16, 2008, 10:33 AM EDT Cohasset Mariner WickedLocal.com Solicitors selling magazines had not realized they had crossed over from Hull into Cohasset last week. Police talked with the individual in charge who knew about Cohasset’s bylaw requiring solicitors to register with the police. Chief Hussey said police dealt with the same group last year. Police received several complaints from residents on Jerusalem Road, Black Rock Road and Linden Drive, about the door-to-door solicitors. In responding to one of the calls, police ran a check on one of the solicitors, who was on his way to West Corner to wait for a ride. The 45-year-old California man had two warrants and he was arrested. Hussey said police encourage residents to call if they see door-to-door solicitors. Police will know “right then and there” if the individual has registered. Police will also go out to the reported location, explain the town bylaw, and tell the person to stop soliciting until he or she registers. Under the town bylaw, door-to-door solicitors are required to register at the police station where they can apply for a $25 license. They are required to wear a badge issued by the police that includes their name and photograph. The badge should be worn and be clearly visible. Solicitors have to provide police with their name, address, date of birth and height, weight and eye color, Social Security number; dates and times of canvassing activities; name and address of employer; and a brief description of the purposes of the solicitation. Exceptions to the bylaw are town, state or federal officers or employees on official business; minors under 18 unless in connection with a commercial activity; candidates for public office or campaign workers; those promoting political causes and those soliciting for charitable organizations unless those solicitors are paid. Cohasset Mariner WickedLocal.com Cohasset, Massachusetts Read This Story |
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Door-to-Door Magazine Sales Alert !!! June 16, 2008 Two Muggings Reported In Sterling (Created: Monday, June 16, 2008 3:55 PM EDT) Leesburg, Virginia Read This Story |
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Door-to-Door Book Sales Southwestern Company Member: Direct Selling Association June 14, 2008 Updated: Door-to-door salesman in Hardin Valley surprised by school phone alert Posted By: Katie Allison Granju WBIR TV-10 WBIR.COM June 14, 2008, 29 mins ago WBIR.COM WBIR TV-10 Knoxville, Tennessee Read This Story DMPG Info Clip: This company is lobbying against legislation in the state of Wisconsin that is specifically designed to protect Wisconsin kids and homeowners. To research this company: Research Southwestern Company To research legislation: Research Wisconsin Legislation |
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Door-to-Door Magazine Sales Scam Alert !!! June 12, 2008 Triad Police Warn Neighbors of Door to Door Scam Posted by: Tracey McCain, Reporter 1 day ago (6/12/2008 6:39:28 PM) WFMY News 2 (Channel 2, CBS) & digtriad.com Police say scam artists are going door to door selling phony magazine subscriptions in the Piedmont. Police say scam artists are going door to door selling phony magazine subscriptions in the Piedmont. Rockingham County, NC - Police say scam artists are going door to door selling phony magazine subscriptions in the Piedmont. Police say the schemers are as young as 16. The fake salesmen say they're raising money to help fight an illness or a to pay for a class trip. They give you a sob story and tell you they need a donation. Police say people open their check books out of the goodness of their hearts and get conned out of hundreds of dollars. "We've had some young people come into our county toward the Summerfield area asking for donations so they could go on a trip and we found this not to be true," said Dean Venable, the public information officer for the Rockingham County Sheriff's Department. "They make it so you'll want to help them, but be careful about doing so," he said. Police say the magazine subscription scheme is an old trick that keeps resurfacing. They warn neighbors to be on their guard. "They're doing it to get money," said neighbor Kelly Buggins. But of course they have a badge, you're going to believe them. But, I guess anybody can get a badge or name tag," he said. "They come up and say, come on buy it, it's good it's good and you know it's not good," said Lacey Ore who lives on the same street. Police say the scheme spans the Triad. Investigators are looking into similar reports in Alamance and Guilford Counties. When it comes to opening the door for solicitors, Rockingham County deputies say to only give donations to someone who you know and trust. They say never hand out your credit card or checking information and ask for identification. Lastly, if you are truly interested in purchasing a subscription, it's better to go directly through the publisher. WFMY News 2 (Channel 2, CBS) & digtriad.com digtriad.com Greensboro, North Carolina Read This Story |
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Cleaner Product Door-to-Door Sales Alert !!! June 12, 2008 Two men cited for selling door-to-door without a permit St. Peter Herald Interactive and Minnesota River Valley Shopper stpeterherald.com 6/12/2008 11:06:00 AM stpeterherald.com St. Peter, Minnesota Read This Story |
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Door-to-Door Magazine Sales Fraud Warning !!! June 11, 2008 Rockingham Co. Police Warn Against Door-To-Door Sales Fraud WXII12 POSTED: 7:42 pm EDT June 11, 2008 UPDATED: 9:05 pm EDT June 11, 2008 wxii12.com Winston-Salem, North Carolina Read This Story |
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Door-to-Door Magazine Sales Warning !!! June 11, 2008 Residents advised to be wary of door-to-door sales From Staff Reports news-record.com Wednesday, Jun. 11, 2008 6:56 pm news-record.com Greensboro, North Carolina Read This Story |
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City warns of sales scams June 10, 2008 City warns of sales scams Door-to-door dangers noted By Michelle Day mday@courier-journal.com The Courier-Journal and courier-journal.com June 10, 2008 The woman was a victim of a fraudulent door-to-door solicitation, a national problem that's worrisome for Louisville because it's part of "the circuit," Officer Dave Dahl said. City officials held a press conference yesterday to warn residents about these and less severe scams by phony door-to-door salespeople as part of "Keep Louisville Safe," a public-awareness campaign that features a new topic every month. Crews of illegitimate solicitors come through Louisville before big events such as Thunder Over Louisville, Dahl said. Some intend to get inside someone's house to harm them or steal items such as checkbooks or electronics, he said. Some companies recruit college-aged people, who end up scammed themselves and never see any profit, Dahl said. He said the crews are given speeches every morning, and they even sing songs and shout cheers. "It's really a cult-like environment," he said. Mayor Jerry Abramson said illegitimate salespeople sell anything from cell phones to lawn care to magazines. He said there have been instances of solicitors pretending to want work to get inside the house so they can look around, planning to burglarize it later. There also have been cases where a solicitor took money in advance, but the consumer didn't receive the promised product, he said. Police Chief Robert White said citizens should not let salespeople in the house and should call the police if they have any problems with someone being aggressive. "We're asking citizens to exercise their boundaries," he said. Residents can reduce the chance of becoming a victim of fraudulent solicitors by simply asking to see their permit and references, Abramson said. "Be skeptical from the get-go," he said. "Don't be afraid to slam the door." Readers can reach reporter Michelle Day at mday@courier-journal.com. ------------------------------------------ Mayor Jerry Abramson, Police Chief Robert White and Diane Looney of the city's Inspections, Permits and Licenses agency said residents can take precautions against fraudulent door-to-door solicitors. Don't be a victim City officials offered these tips to prevent becoming a victim of an illegitimate solicitor: You don't have to open the door. Ask to see a permit and references. Be skeptical. Shut the door and call police if the solicitor becomes aggressive. Always have a phone in hand, and make the solicitor think you're talking to someone. Never open the door for a stranger until the person has stepped off the porch. By Michelle Day, The Courier-Journal mday@courier-journal.com The Courier-Journal and courier-journal.com courier-journal.com Louisville, Kentucky Read This Story |
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LOUISVILLE METRO POLICE PATROL OFFICERS REFERENCE GUIDE TO DOOR TO DOOR SOLICITORS Officer George D. Dahl LOUISVILLE METRO POLICE 8th DIVISION 200 JUNEAU WAY LOUISVILLE, KY 40243 Louisville Police Guide - PDF Louisville Metro Police Website |
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BBB lists its latest consumer/business tips June 8, 2008 BBB lists its latest consumer/business tips (Created: Sunday, June 8, 2008 10:02 AM EDT) fwdailynews.com kpcnews.com kpcnews.com fwdailynews.com Kendallville, Indiana Read This Story |
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Salesman's death in Miami felt in Hawaii June 8, 2008 HAWAII Salesman's death in Miami felt in Hawaii The death of salesman Robert Spruiell in Miami-Dade has sent shock waves on a rural Hawaiian island going through tough economic times. BY DAVID OVALLE dovalle@MiamiHerald.com Miami Herald Posted on Sun, Jun. 08, 2008 DEATH IN MIAMI In the confrontation, Jesus Cisneros, 42, stabbed Spruiell to death and slashed Johnson about seven times. Because Spruiell and Johnson committed kidnapping and occupied burglary by breaking into Cisneros' room, police say, Johnson is being held responsible for the death. He is charged with second-degree felony murder. His arraignment in Miami-Dade Circuit Court is Tuesday. He had pleaded not guilty. Spruiell's story, by all accounts, spanned the globe. His father, a U.S. Navy seaman, met his wife while stationed on the islands. She hailed from the large and well-known Kamakana clan of Molokai. Her father, Henry Kamakana Sr., was a renowned pro tennis player. Spruiell grew up in Washington state and spent summers in Hawaii. ''As he grew up, Hawaiian family was around all the time. He had a lot of respect for the Hawaiian culture,'' said his father, Bob Spruiell Sr. Spruiell also served in the U.S. Navy during the first Gulf War. An Arizona resident, he later owned a series of door-to-door sales companies, traveling the country overseeing young people selling magazine subscriptions. While the industry brought bad publicity -- his company was sued this year by Albuquerque, N.M., after two associated salespeople were charged with murder -- he found refuge in Hawaii. Four years ago, Spruiell returned to Hawaii to visit family. As he hit middle age, his interest in his island roots grew, said his 54-year-old uncle, Pete Gonsalves. Gonsalves decribed island life and its people this way: ``The ocean is the ice box, the mountain is where they get substance from deer and pig. Molokai is a self-sustaining place and that's why a lot of people are able to get by.'' Though much of his family lived in Oahu, Spruiell visited Molokai to visit remaining members and fell for the island's traditional style. After just one day, he bought the land where he hoped to build his retirement home. He also hoped to bring his Molokai-native mother, Haunani Kamakana, to live with him there. ''He wanted to give back to his Hawaiian heritage, be part of the community,'' Gonsalves said. Molokai is a unique place. The fish-shaped island, smack center in the island chain, boasts spectacular sea cliffs, lush rain forests and a twin-tiered waterfall called Moaula Falls. It was also home to Kalaupapa, a historic former colony for people suffering from leprosy, or Hansens' disease. Molokai is sparesly populated. Known as ''the most Hawaiian island,'' Molokai does not draw the honeymooners and vacationers like the islands of Oahu and Maui. ''The people here don't want to be like the rest of the islands. We've been fighting development for 30 years,'' said well-known Molokai activist Walter Ritte. ``All the islands have been developed to a high extent. This is the only island that hasn't been developed. It's really rural -- that is by design.'' But these days, the island has been in tumult. The Molokai Ranch, which owns 66,000 acres, or a third of the island, was thwarted in an attempt to build luxury homes. So it closed its cattle and resort businesses, including a lodge, bungalows, a golf course and a movie theater. More than 100 workers lost their jobs. Last week, the ranch sounded alarms by announcing it would stop water and sewer services, affecting some 1,200 customers. HAWAIIAN PLANS With this troubled atmosphere as a backdrop, Spruiell -- whose Hawaiian name is Kamuela Kamakana -- had hoped to make a difference last October with the purchase of the Paddlers. A novice in the restaurant business, he had revamped the kitchen, upgraded the sound system, and added live concerts and poker and movie nights. ''We don't make a lot of money, but we're just here for the community. He is going to be missed here,'' restaurant administrator Alicia Montemayor said after his death. Molokai Ranch closed, the Paddlers is now the only place to serve a social hub after hours. It also employs 43 people, not an insignificant number on an island where the unemployment is now hovering about 10 percent. ''Every little thing now becomes a big thing. Every job counts. Not only that, it's a good place for people to let out their frustrations, to eat and to have a good time. Somewhere to go in the evening,'' said activist Ritte. For now, Paddlers will continue to operate as usual, his family said. The Paddlers website, in his honor, put up a slide show of photos taken during Spruiell's April visit. By month's end, family members will take a ferry to Molokai, to his property in the Kamalo mountains, to spread his ashes. Later, Gonsalves and a friend, Kanalu Young, a professor at the University of Hawaii, will compose prayers and bless the land. And in the coming weeks, a probate court in Arizona, where Spruiell lived, will look at his properties and businesses to figure out how they will be distributed among his heirs. After that, no one is quite sure what will happen to the Paddlers. ''The family wants the restaurant to succeed,'' Bob Spruiell Sr. said. dovalle@MiamiHerald.com Miami Herald miamiherald.com Miami, Flroida Read This Story |
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Door to Door Magazine Scam Alert !!! June 5, 2008 West Side Neighborhood Watch Akron.com By Maggie DeMellier 6/5/2008 - West Side Leader West Side Leader akron.com Akron, Ohio Read This Story |
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Door to Door Magazine Scam Alert !!! June 5, 2008 Scams Use Berkeley High Athletics in Oakland, Kensington By Riya Bhattacharjee The Berkeley Daily Planet Thursday June 05, 2008 The Berkeley Daily Planet berkeleydailyplanet.com Berkeley, California Read This Story |
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Batavia considers transient vendor policy June 5, 2008 Batavia considers transient vendor policy BY JUSTIN B. DUKE | JBDUKE@COMMUNITYPRESS.COM communitypress.com Last Updated: 7:38 am | Thursday, June 5, 2008 According to Ohio Revised Code, a transient vendor is a person who opens a temporary place of business, or travels around the township to sell, offer for sale or solicit the order for future delivery of goods. Trustee Lee Cornett was concerned about allowing unknown vendors coming into Batavia. He didn't want a vendor to attack a resident while going door-to-door and the responsibility to fall on the township. "I don't think we should give these people permits because it gives them an air of legitimacy," Cornett said. The trustees discussed two types of transient vendors in the township, a door-to-door vendor and a vendor who sets up on the side of the road and sells out of a vehicle. It will be challenging to enforce any kind of resolution when a person is selling vegetables out of a vehicle, said Trustee Archie Wilson. "That man doesn't come to me and ask for a permit," said Zoning Administrator Denise Kelley. Selling on the side of the road is a very different issue from vendors going door-to-door, said Trustee Deborah Clepper. "I'm not sure what we can do to stop them, but I tell you one thing - I'm not going to vote to allow them," Cornett said. Wilson wasn't sure what rights the township legally had to deal with transient vendors, and asked the board to wait on passing any ordinance until more research was done. The trustees voted to move forward with a transient vendor policy. The township attorney will be consulted to see how restrictive a policy can be. "I want to be as restrictive as possible," Clepper said. communitypress.com Batavia, Ohio Read This Story |
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Door to Door Magazine sales Warning !!! June 5, 2008 Police caution families about unlicensed solicitors in Martinsville, Henry Co. WSLS News Staff WSLS 10 Published: June 5, 2008 WSLS 10 wsls.com Roanoke, Virginia Read This Story |
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Magazine salesman arrested for alleged attempted rape and burglary in Nipomo June 5, 2008 Magazine salesman arrested for alleged attempted rape and burglary in Nipomo Larissa Doust SanLuisObispo.com Posted on Thu, Jun. 05, 2008 SanLuisObispo.com sanluisobispo.com San Luis Obispo, California Read This Story |
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Nipomo neighborhood rocked by attempted rape June 4, 2008 Nipomo neighborhood rocked by attempted rape Reported by: Kory Raftery KSBY 6 Action News Wednesday, June 4, 2008 A man is behind bars after San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's deputies say he tried to rape a woman inside her home in Nipomo. Deputies say the man was selling magazines when he asked to come inside, then flashed an apparent weapon and demanded sex from the woman. Deputies say the attack happened this afternoon at about one 1:00 p.m. on Spruce Lane in Nipomo. Many of the neighbors said they first heard about the attack on Action News. They said they recognized the man, and they said he knocked on their doors, too. One neighbor said, "Oh my God, that's that guy I can't believe it. I opened my door to this guy.... alone with my baby and my friend." Another neighbor, Andrea Fista, said, "Now I'm going to think twice about opening the door. I sort of kind of did before, but I really didn't put too much in it. But if people are breaking into houses and stuff, that's really scary." Deputies say Joseph approached a home on Spruce Lane in Nipomo where he was apparently selling magazines. Then, he allegedly asked a woman if he could come in her home to use the bathroom. While inside, deputies say Joseph showed the woman what appeared to be a handgun and demanded sex. Deputies say a struggle broke out, and he ran away. Soon after, deputies arrested him. They say the handgun turned out to be a fake. Still, the incident has the neighbors on edge, warning their children about the dangers of opening the door to strangers. "They're not allowed to open the door for anybody. They're not even allowed to ask who it is," said Fista. "I'm always alone at the house. Just me and my one year old daughter, so I have to be really careful now," said another neighbor. Deputies say the woman had her children inside the home with her at the time that they say Joseph was tormenting her. Joseph is being held in San Luis Obispo county jail on $100,000 bail. He's being charged with attempted rape and burglary. KSBY 6 Action News ksby.com San Luis Obispo, California Read This Story |
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Draft to ban door-to-door sales June 3, 2008 Draft to ban door-to-door sales / Akita Pref. ordinance aims to stop unscrupulous people tricking elderly Etsuo Hayakawa and Hideharu Tabuchi / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writers June 3, 2008 |