Every year, the Santa Monica Police Department responds to numerous calls regarding door-to-door solicitors.  There are many legitimate organizations that solicit door-to-door, either to sell products and services or to promote a religious, political, or charitable cause.  However, there are also a growing number of individuals who illegally solicit with the purpose of committing fraud.

The Santa Monica Municipal Code states: every person engaged in soliciting, canvassing, taking orders or peddling of goods, wares, merchandise or services shall pay a license fee in accordance with Section 6.32.040.  No solicitation or peddling shall be conducted at any place of residence in the City where any sign prohibiting trespassing or solicitation has been posted or displayed.  If the sign posted or displayed limits the hours of trespassing or solicitation, no solicitation or peddling shall be conducted at any place of residence in the City during the time period posted or displayed (6.32.010).

So when that knock comes at your door, ask that person to produce the required license before they even start their "pitch.” Be aware that your average con-artist will have a thousand reasons why he/she has no license. Remember that there is no "legal" reason to be without a license.

First of all, IF you feel uncomfortable opening your door to a solicitor for any reason, DON’T. 

• A solicitor should not knock on the door or ring the doorbell for the purpose of selling a product or service if the property is posted with a "No Solicitors" sign.

• A solicitor must leave when asked by the homeowner or apartment dweller.

• A solicitor cannot make any statements that misrepresent the activity for which they have been authorized by their permit to solicit.

A person might be a fraudulent solicitor if he/she:

• Is out of compliance with the municipal code.

• Behaves aggressively, acts threatening or tries to make you feel
  guilty for not wanting to buy what he/she is selling.

• Pressures you for an immediate decision and demands cash only.

• Refuses to supply paperwork to substantiate what he/she claims to be selling or to give a contact phone number and address for whom they claim to work.

• Asks for bank account or Social Security numbers.

• Attempts to make entry into your home (jiggles the door knob if no one answers). Tries to peer into your home through an open door or window to look for valuables in plain sight.

Two popular solicitation scams currently taking place in Santa Monica are:

The Magazine Sale Scam: This occurs when someone who claims to work for a magazine company promises a consumer a new magazine subscription, or the renewal of a subscription at a very low price. Often the price is misrepresented or the magazine is never delivered.  A victim who supplies credit card or bank account numbers could also become a victim of identity theft.

The Home Repair Scam: This occurs when someone offers to do very inexpensive home repair work that would otherwise be expensive.  The con artist may use poor materials and untrained workers, leave the job unfinished, or simply take your initial deposit and never return. 

If it seems too good to be true, it probably IS!

Remember, IF you feel uncomfortable opening your door to a solicitor for any reason, DON’T. 

If you suspect that a solicitor is not legitimate, please contact the Santa Monica Police Department at (310) 458-8491, non-emergency, or emergency 9-1-1 if the situation escalates.

For more information, call the Community Relations Unit of the Santa Monica Police Department at (310) 458-8474.

This page was last modified on 01/26/2008