Beware of door-to-door solicitors, Rancho Santa Fe Patrol warns
The RSF Patrol issued a warning on its web site this week for residents to beware of door-to-door solicitors. “These are usually young adults who go door to door selling cleaners or magazines,” according to the Patrol site. “They begin their pitch by telling you that they are your neighbor and they are trying to win a trip to London (or name the place) and you can help them out. Then they tell you if they sell so much of a product they earn the points to get to that fantastic place.”
These solicitors are not legitimate, the site said.
“The product they sell is inferior or the magazines are over-priced and you may not even get them. Are they your neighbor? NO! They are pretty smart — they learn [a resident’s] name by reading the sign in front of their house or they may have just talked to your neighbor and asked your name. They look in the local paper for names of local sports teams or organizations and tell you they are raising money for them. It’s all bogus. Don’t fall for it.”
According to the Patrol, “these sales people are from out of state and are bused around to sell this stuff. Sometimes these people commit crimes too.
“Our advice is not to buy anything other than Girl Scout Cookies from people at your door. If you are interested in the product ask for some literature and mail order it.
“Door to door sellers have to be licensed by the Sheriff and show a valid Sheriff sales identification. They also have to have a legitimate form of ID to back this up. Nonprofit (charity) sellers should have a Federal Tax ID as well.”
To report a suspicious sales person or activity, call the Patrol at 858-756-4372. For more information, visit
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