In Hawai‘i, we must always be on the lookout for scammers going door to door posing as trustworthy salespeople. They may be offering lawn care, home improvement services, alarm systems, and more, and also pretending to be legitimate companies just to get you to trust them.
Five tips to help protect you and your home
1) Research. Ask for identification such as a permit, business license or business card. Research the company through www.BBB.org to view what their complaint history is and their BBB rating.
2) Resist pressure. Do they need an answer now? Avoid sellers who encourage you to sign a contract or put down a deposit right away.
3) Obtain everything in writing. If you decide to do business with a door-to-door salesperson make sure you get everything in writing.
4) Know your rights. Under Hawai‘i’s law on door-to-door sales, a buyer is entitled to a full refund if a cancellation notice is sent in writing within three business days.
5) Pay using a credit card. Payment by credit card is the safest method since certain consumer protections are provided. Make sure you obtain a receipt that documents any payments that are made and keep it for your records.
Most importantly, stay safe. If a salesperson or contractor gets irate, difficult, or if you feel unsafe in any way, close the door and call the police.
BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU NORTHWEST + PACIFIC
1132 Bishop Street #615, Honolulu HI 96813
808-536-6956 | info@hawaii.bbb.org
For information or to report a scam, visit ScamTracker
at www.bbb.org/scamtracker, or call the main office Monday–Friday from 8 am – 4 pm.
