Solicitor scam awareness is being raised as individuals posing as door-to-door salesmen have been reported by the City of Brownfield last month.
Communities within Hockley County and Cochran County have shared the reports on their Facebook pages to inform citizens of the ongoing concern.
Summertime always brings an increase of door-to-door salespeople offering to provide goods and/or services.
Cities within Hockley and Cochran Counties have rules and regulations in place for solicitors to follow to help ensure the safety of community members.
Levelland community members who would like to look over said rules can find them listed in the Code of Ordinances on the City of Levelland website.
Chapter 4 of the Code of Ordinances, Article 4.300 Peddlers, Solicitors and Itinerant Merchants has a complete breakdown of the requirements and violations.
A peddler includes all individuals who attempt to make personal contact with a resident at their residence without a prior specific invitation or appointment from the resident, for the primary purpose of attempting to sell a good or service.
A solicitor includes all individuals who attempt to make personal contact with a resident at their residence without prior specific invitation or appointment from the resident, for the primary purpose of: Attempting to obtain a donation to a particular patriotic, philanthropic, social service, welfare, benevolent, educational, civic, fraternal, charitable, political or religious purpose, even if incidental to such purpose there is the sale of some good or service; or Distributing a handbill or flyer advertising a commercial event or service.
Levelland City Secretary Andrea Corley emphasized the importance of obtaining a permit through the City of Levelland before a solicitor, peddler or itinerant vendor can sell or solicit the sale of any merchandise, goods or services or conduct any sales activity within the city limits described in or governed by the article.
It was also noted that a canvasser includes all individuals who attempt to make personal contact with a resident at their residence without prior specific invitation or appointment from the resident, for the primary purpose of: Attempting to enlist support for or against a particular religion, philosophy, ideology, political party, issue or candidate, even if incidental to such purpose the canvasser accepts the donation of money for or against such cause; or Distributing a handbill or flyer advertising a noncommercial event or service.
A canvasser is not required to have a permit under this article but any canvasser wanting a permit for the purpose of reassuring city residents of the canvasser’s good faith shall be issued one upon request.
“If someone that does not have a brick and mortar business in Levelland comes here and is trying to sell anything [roofing services, clothing, solar panels, security systems, etc.] they needs a permit. That permit helps us assure the public that people knocking on citizens’ doors have been vetted, meaning they have gone through the necessary background check, have the proper state permits, paid the applicable fees and have been issued a solicitor badge by City Hall personnel,” explained Corley. “Our main concern is the safety of our citizens.”
When filling out an application, the applicant will have to provide: The name, address and telephone number of the applicant.
The name, date and place of birth, residence address and telephone number of the person representing the applicant if different than the applicant.
The location of the applicant’s place of business or other while engaging in business in the city.
The last three cities in which the applicant engaged in business.
The address, including street address, and telephone number where the applicant can be reached on each of the five days after applicant ceases engaging in business in the city.
The name, date and place of birth, physical description and photograph of each person working in the city for, with or on behalf of the applicant under the permit.
A state-issued driver’s license, state identification card, passport, or other governmentissued identification card (issued by a government within the United States) containing this information may be provided to satisfy this requirement.
The city secretary shall make a photocopy of any identification card provided under this section.
If a photograph is not supplied, the city will take an instant photograph of each person working in the city for, with or on behalf of the applicant under the permit at city hall. The actual cost of the instant photograph will be paid by the applicant.
A copy of applicant’s sales tax permit or written evidence of applicant’s exemption.
Proof of at least a $1,000 insurance bond.
Authorization for the city to conduct a criminal background check for the applicant and any person working in the city for, with or on behalf of the applicant under the permit.
A description of the merchandise, goods, or services to be offered for sale.
A list of all infractions, offenses, misdemeanors and felony convictions of the applicant and each person working in the city for, with or on behalf of the applicant under the permit for the seven years immediately prior to the application.
The motor vehicle make, model, year, color, and state license plate number of any vehicle which will be used by the applicant and each person working in the city for, with or on behalf of the applicant under the permit.
Upon receipt of the above required information, the city secretary shall issue within 24 business hours a permit and identification tags which shall be effective for 30 days unless it is determined within that time that: The applicant has been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude within the past seven years; With respect to a particular individual working for, with or on behalf of the applicant under the permit, the individual has been convicted of any felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude within the past seven years; or
Any statement upon the application is false, unless the applicant can demonstrate that the falsehood was the result of excusable neglect.
The fees associated with the permit process include a $25 business permit fee.
“For instance, say you are with ABC Vacuum Sales. They will pay a business permit fee of $25. That permit is valid for a year,” stated Corley. “That permit fee and the fact that they must provide an insurance bond shows us that ABC Vacuum Sales is aware that they have door-todoor salespeople in our community and they have taken steps to comply with our ordinance.”
Additionally, there is a $25 administrative fee.
The individual salespeople representing ABC Vacuum Sales must pay a $25 admin fee when they submit their application and background check authorization forms. That fee covers the background check and badge creation expenses.
The solicitor badge is good for 30 days. Should they wish to continue selling their vacuums, they must submit a new application and background check authorization, and pay the $25 administrative fee.
Corley did want to caution any potential companies who may have plans to sell door-todoor in Levelland to check with the Building Inspections Department, as well. Building contractors and roofers may have additional permits or registrations for which they are responsible. For the purpose of this article, we are only talking about the permits required to conduct door-to-door sales, not permits for the actual service being provided.
It is important for solicitors and community members to be aware of the allowed hours solicitors and peddlers can operate.
No individual should conduct door-to-door sales or solicitations at residences prior to 9 a.m. on any day, and from October 1 through March 31 after 6 p.m., and from April 1 through September 30, after 8 p.m., local time.
“The time is extended a little later in the summer as there is more daylight while it gets darker earlier in the winter,” explained Corley. “As community members we want to be able to see who is walking up our sidewalk and knocking on our doors. Operating during daylight also provides a safety aspect not only for the resident but also the solicitor.”
When greeted by a solicitor, the City encourages residents to be alert and ask questions.
“The first thing I would do is ask to see their city-issued badge,” said Corley. “There will be a large City of Levelland logo at the top of the badge, a picture of the individual and an expiration date on the bottom of the badge. If they refuse to show a badge, we urge people to close the door and call the non-emergency police number. Law enforcement personnel can make contact with those individuals and make them aware of the rules regarding doorto- door sales.”
Corley explained that altercations or solicitors being denied a permit is an uncommon occurrence, citing only a few such instances in the past five years.
She shared that the majority of door-to-door salespeople have been compliant and nice to work with.