AG Office Warns of Scams from Door-To-Door Salesmen

(KNSI) – Gnats and mosquitoes are proving to be far smaller pests than the fraudsters claiming they can prevent them.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison highlighted the threat of door-to-door scammers on Thursday, particularly services that pressure people into buying pest control or lawn services that they do not intend to ever deliver. Ellson says another scheme they like to employ is to get you to sign a contract without understanding the fine print, including auto-renewals and hidden fees.

Lastly, Ellison encourages victims not to beat themselves up. He reminds people that scammers do it as a profession, and over time, they become very good at it. If someone realizes they’ve been duped, report it to the Attorney General’s Office. The worst possible outcome is to try to bury it out of shame and to allow others to suffer the same fate.

Officials shared some tips to protect yourself. They encourage people to ask, “Do I really need this service?” For those who find themselves persuaded by someone standing on their door, there’s likely a good reason why it wasn’t on the shopping list earlier. Ask for time to think the offer over. Legitimate companies are happy to let a customer become comfortable with the decision they are making, rather than using high-pressure tactics.

It is always wise to do research on who to hire for any type of service. Minnesotans have the right to let them deliberate on a possible purchase. The AG’s office also encourages people to request a receipt.

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