Exercising Caution When Visited By A Door-To-Door Salesmen

ITAWAMBA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI ) – In the 80’s and 90’s door-to-door salesmen were common sight.

Fast forward to today, not only is it a rare profession to get into, it could present safety concerns for you and you’re family.

“It’s not against the law to do that but it bothers people,” said Itawamba  County Criminal Investigator Jason Dickinson.

If you thought the days of going door-to-door were over for anyone but the girl scouts, Itawamba County Criminal investigator Jason Dickinson says that’s just not the case.

“Use to, we’d have some calls on that. Now we’re getting even more calls. There’s a group out of Alabama that are vacuum cleaner salesmen. They are pushy, going door-to-door,” said Dickinson.

It’s one of the oldest sales techniques in the book but the Adams Family says, these days, it can also be one of the scariest.

“One of their favorite things is “Oh! I’m working my way through college” Then some of them just come up and try to sell you something. We never let them in the door. We keep the door locked we’ll talk to them through the screen,” said Fulton Resident Terry Adams.

“What made me very uncomfortable is we would look back out the door and they are walking out of the neighborhood and I never see a vehicle. I do not like that,” said Fulton Resident Denise Adams.

Dickinson says there are ways to keep you’re family safe when visited by a salesman.

“Always look out the window. See if you know the person. If you don’t know them and you feel hesitant then give us a call. We’ll stop and talk to the ones going door to door. If you do let them inside you’re home don’t let them use you’re phone. Make sure they aren’t looking at your mail or personal information. If you can call someone to be there with you, I wouldn’t be there alone,” said Dickinson.

The Adams family experiences 3 to 4 salesmen a year, Terry Adams says it may not seem like a lot but it’s enough to keep him on look out for any foul play when it comes to a surprise visit.

“I keep an eye out on things after those people like that are gone. It’s like with my neighborhood here I know each vehicle what it looks like and what time the people are home or not. You’ve got to be aware of you’re surroundings,” said Adams.

Fulton has ordinances in place restricting door-to-door salesmen. If you have an issue in your neighborhood you are encouraged to contact your local law enforcement.