Security system salesmen?

[John Arnold]

We had two very clean-cut young white guys show up at the front door the other day going on and on about "all the recent break-ins" in this area and apparently trying to sell something, but they wouldn't say what, exactly. They said something about being "sent up" from Florida, for what that's worth. They were carrying a clip-board with what appeared to be signatures on it.
They were very persistent but very vague. My wife was trying to pin them down without any success when one of them mentioned how hot it was and could they get a drink of water. My wife came to get me, and to actually get them a drink of water, but when we returned to the front porch they had disappeared.

Anyone else have experience with these guys and know what they're up to?

[RollinRox]

We had one knock on our door at 9 pm the other night! I answered and he said he was with Vivint or Vivent I think. He only got two sentences out before I said I was not interested and shut the door. 9 pm. Really?

[Hal]

Anyone else have experience with these guys and know what they're up to?

Sounds like a classic case of casing your house, and the neighbors house, for a daytime burglary when you leave.

The scam even has a name "pigeon drop"

We had two very clean-cut young white guys show up at the front door the other day going on and on about "all the recent break-ins" in this area and apparently trying to sell something,
but they wouldn't say what, exactly.

If they wouldn't say what, then they were trying to get YOU to tell THEM whether you already had a security system.

My wife was trying to pin them down without any success when one of them mentioned how hot it was and could they get a drink of water.

That's the classic distraction line for a daytime snatch and grab robbery.

Circa 1991The stranger seemed innocent enough - she was only inquiring about houses to buy or rent in the quiet Glenolden neighborhood. And what was to be suspicious of when the stranger asked for a glass of water? After all, they were talking outside in the garden on a warm day in June. Maybe Grieb was a little irked after she returned with the water and the stranger then asked her for some ice. But she wasn't suspicious, and she complied with the request.
Later, Grieb realized that the ice water had cost her more than annoyance. It had cost $2,300.
While the stranger quenched her thirst, an accomplice gained enough time to find the money in an upstairs dresser.


Circa 1994 Six of the seven victims, who are in their 80s, told Jones yesterday how one of the defendants diverted their attention by asking for water or to use the telephone, while the other ransacked upstairs bureaus and closets, stealing thousands of dollars in cash, jewelry and mementos.


Now, they will try and grab the extra sets of keys, cellphones (to sell), smartphones (hoping there's a banking app), that people usually put down by the front door.

Check to see if anything is missing. Then check again.

Tell your neighbors to expect a attempted burglary in the area within the next week.


Hal

[roxyfoxy]

I live around Valley Avenue/Domino Lane and 2 guys that fit your description knocked on our door about 2 weeks ago on a Saturday afternoon, with the same spiel. Very polite, but very persistent. Nobody asked for water, though. FInally had to just say very insistently that we weren't interested and closed the door. Last summer we had quite a few of these teams knock on our door, too. One thing I notice is that one guy ALWAYS stands right outside the door and the other ALWAYS stands at the bottom of the steps.

[Hal]

one of them mentioned how hot it was and could they get a drink of water.
My wife came to get me, and to actually get them a drink of water,
but when we returned to the front porch they had disappeared.

Here one story that's (probably too good to be true) but too good to not pass on.


Two shady salesmen show up on the stoop of a little old lady,
one asks for a glass of water, the other asks if he can come in to check her cable tv.
She chains the door, gets the glass of water, hands it to one of the salesmen.
He drinks it, say "thank you for the water".

She takes the glass back, leaves the door chain on and politely says - "you're welcome dear, thank you for the fingerprints."


Hal

[lexrex]

Here one story that's (probably too good to be true) but too good to not pass on.


Two shady salesmen show up on the stoop of a little old lady,
one asks for a glass of water, the other asks if he can come in to check her cable tv.
She chains the door, gets the glass of water, hands it to one of the salesmen.
He drinks it, say "thank you for the water".

She takes the glass back, leaves the door chain on and politely says - "you're welcome dear, thank you for the fingerprints."


Hal

Ha! Good one. We had some alleged window salesmen in our area. No brochures or anything, just claiming to sell windows.
We called the police and let them shake him down for ID, etc. So just tell them that you are calling the police.