Knock-knock: don’t let deception in the door! – National Consumers League

June 1, 2008

Washington, DC – Products sold door-to-door range from household items to cosmetics. Some salespeople are honest, and others aren’t. June’s tips in the National Consumers League’s “2008 Consumer Calendar: Do We Have Tips for You!” help consumers avoid being scammed by dishonest salespeople.

NCL teaches consumers how to identify salespeople from ethical door-to-door sales companies. These salespeople will:

Identify themselves and the company’s products they represent by name. They should explain the purpose of their visit upfront and present proper identification.

Respect your wishes. It’s a sign of fraud if they try to pressure you into buying something on the spot or refuse to honor your request to end the sales presentation.

Not use misleading or deceptive tactics. Be wary of claims that:
- You’re the winner of a contest you never actually entered.
- Some of your money will go to charity if the salesperson doesn’t have any proof of a connection with a legitimate charitable organization.
The nation’s oldest consumer advocacy organization, NCL works to educate people about how to make wise decisions in today’s marketplace. Each month, NCL’s Web site, www.nclnet.org, will feature the calendar and tips for the month. Covering a range of subjects from medication safety, to avoiding scams, the tips are sponsored by major companies, government agencies, and organizations. The June tips about legitimate salespeople were sponsored by The Southwestern Company.The print version of the calendar was distributed to consumers free of charge through agencies and organizations around the country. There are no printed copies of the calendar remaining.

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About the National Consumers League
Founded in 1899, the National Consumers League is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Its mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. NCL is a private, nonprofit membership organization. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.