Homes with security signs often target of door-to-door scam

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Industry giant ADT believes every year tens of thousands of consumers are scammed by door-to-door security salespeople, and summer is their big season.

If you have a home security sign in your front yard, you are a target.

These signs may repel burglars, but they attract conmen who knock on the door and lie, saying they are with the company listed on the sign and it is time to upgrade your service.

What they really do is switch your service to another provider. It happened to Berkeley resident Phuong Le six years ago.

"We do not want to hear anything from them. We do not want to deal anything with them. I just turned it off," Le said.

It is a problem every year for homeowners and legitimate companies like ADT.

"Well an account is quite profitable, so we understand that some of these people that are working during the summer often times are students that can make up to $30-$50,000 in a summer," ADT's David Bleisch said.

Consumers' Checkbook says to think twice before dealing with anyone who simply knocks on your door.

"My best advice is anyone that knocks on my door and says 'We're in the neighborhood doing whatever' is someone I don't particularly trust," Consumers' Checkbook's Kevin Brasler said.

Instead, if you want a change or an upgrade, go find a security company on your own.

Helping with that is the current edition of Bay Area Consumers' Checkbook. It rates home security companies.

"You should be looking to have a refutable company that has true experts working for it in your home, looking at your stuff and all the vulnerable points of entry into your home. You need to hire someone you trust," Braster said.

For Consumers' Checkbook's full report and ratings of Bay Area home security companies, click here.