NORWICH – An influx of door-to-door salespeople have been perusing the area for easy targets to scam for money, most commonly the elderly, according to the Norwich City Police Department.
“The best defense is education,” said Police Chief Joseph Angelino, who explained peddling, hawking or soliciting has been taking place since the invention of doors, and it was a pretty big issue back when the railroads were running and many from out of town were traveling through the area and trying to make a quick dollar.
Often what ensues is this: a salesperson will knock on a resident’s door inquiring about energy or the individual’s energy bill. They are smooth talkers, and they are con-people, according to Angelino, who added, “These are the type of criminals who can talk you out of your money.”
The chief said there have been various scams throughout the years in Norwich, including college-aged young adults peddling books, and even folks hawking fresh meat and fish out of a freezer in the back of a truck, with the promise of the freezer in exchange for $300 cash. The elderly seem to be targeted the most, he said.
“The World War II Generation is a polite and courteous generation,” said the chief. “I’m not comfortable with these people going to my mom’s door. But the folks in Norwich are very well educated.”
Angelino said the best thing to do if a resident receives a knock on the door from a stranger is to first, not let the individual or group of individuals inside the home. It would be wise to ask if the peddler’s have registered with the city. He also suggests calling the Norwich City Police right away to report that “ABC Energy,” for example, stopped by the residence in hopes of getting some money or a look at your energy bill for personal information.
“They’re so pushy,” he said. “They’ve got their rehearsed lines.”
The chief stressed for residents not to make a rushed decision, and not to hand money over to a stranger. If there is a product or service a resident needs, there is a brick and mortar business in the area able to help, and that’s by far a safer route than allowing a stranger into one’s home and turning over money or documents with personal or financial information.
Peddlers or hawkers within the city must first obtain a permit in order to go door-to-door offering a product or service.
The city’s code on the matter regarding obtaining a permit to peddle states, “Such application shall give the number and kind of vehicles to be used by the applicant in carrying on the business for which the license is desired, the kind of goods, wares and merchandise he desires to sell or the kind of service he desires to perform, the method of distribution, the name, permanent and Norwich addresses and age of the applicant, the name and address of the person, firm or corporation he represents, the length of time the applicant desires a license and such other information as may be required by the Director of Finance.”
The applications must be approved by the Chief of Police, and then the license is given to the peddler. Sometimes, however, peddlers are not forthcoming or honest on the application.
“There were three people on the permit,” said Angelino, “but we found seven people going door-to-door about energy.” He explained permits are then revoked right away.
In a case where the peddler or vendor has not even applied for a license with City Hall, the individual or group of individuals would receive a written ticket for operating as an unlicensed vendor. Such a matter is a civil offense, not criminal, he added.
“There are good vendors out there,” said Angelino. “You know, the Schwann man and things like that.” He added the importance of being cautious when peddlers approach your residence. “Many times these sales people offer a quality product or service, sometimes they do not.”
A similar situation happened a few years ago, he said, concerning a telephone service. Angelino said with the de-regulation of energy, it has become the target of these most recent peddling instances. He again stressed the importance of not giving money to a stranger who approaches a residence simply because the individual is a smooth talker.
It is imperative not to make on-the-spot decisions and it’s good to ask for references, the chief added. He said it’s good to check with the Better Business Bureau too.
Angelino said he does not believe the peddlers to be violent, just in search of some quick and easy money.
If a resident gives money to a peddler and is the victim of said scam, there is nothing that can be done criminally to the scammer - it would have to be a civil matter, as the resident voluntarily gave money to the individual.
Angelino said protecting the residents is of great importance to the Norwich City Police Department, and if in doubt regarding a home visit from a possible scammer call 334-2424.