Door-to-door alert: Solicitor’s claim didn’t check out

Nancy in Fairmount checked on a solicitor who came to her door last night – and the organization he mentioned says they’re not doing any soliciting. He was in the 4700 block of 38th SW (map), carrying brochures for the Department of Early Learning – which is a state agency, and therefore can’t and doesn’t solicit donations. The description from Nancy: “He was a black male who looked to be in his early 20’s and had a dark blue knitted cap on his head – he mentioned something to me about having his braids tucked under his cap.” She says he claimed to be affiliated with the UW; she checked directly with Early Learning today, and was told flat-out they don’t seek money that way.

hmmmm February 22, 2010 (11:27 pm)

there were a couple of guys in the Arbor Heights neighborhood tonight knocking on doors. Didn’t leave any paperwork on the door (I never answer the door, if I don’t know who it is) BUT I noticed that as he was walking away he was jotting notes down on a sheet of paper. Wonder what that was all about? The one I saw was clean cut, 20s with a backpack.

mark February 23, 2010 (7:15 am)

Keep a digital camera at hand, and take a picture. Its your property, you can take any picture you want. Its a great safe guard and you can be sure they will take off if they are up to no good. It works.

Meghan February 23, 2010 (7:45 am)

Given just how many scams there are these days, most especially door to door, and the fact that vulnerable people (esp. the elderly) end up buying things they don’t want out of fear, it would probably be in the overall interest of everyone if no one even listed to a door to door solicitor. Just think: If everyone simply refused to open their doors to any door to door solicitors, they would go away completely within a year. Same with the ubiquitous telephone solicitors. And you could actually eat dinner with your family without 3 interruptions.

marty February 23, 2010 (9:40 am)

Meghan: I think you are on the right track, but I want to see it eliminated completely. It’s time to have a law prohibiting door-to-door soliciting. Does anyone really want anyone soliciting at their door? We are way past the time when kids could safely sell you Girl Scout cookies! Times change and so should laws.

madashell February 23, 2010 (11:32 am)

We have a “No solicitors” sign. We also have a camera. I think I’ll add a “Smile, you’re on video surveillance” sign. That camera has actually helped me bust my husband sometimes when he comes home late…: )

Washington State Department of Early Learning February 23, 2010 (11:45 am)

As referenced above, the Department of Early Learning (DEL) received a report that an individual was soliciting donations for our agency in the West Seattle area. This is not a legitimate request. As a government agency, we do not accept donations.

If you have concerns about someone at your door, please contact the Seattle Police Department.

Olive February 23, 2010 (3:55 pm)

Marty, I completely agree with you. I was frightened by one of the Girl Scout’s parents on Jan 23rd. I answered the door around 7 pm that Saturday’s night, a man and a little girl standing in the dark on my front porch said “Boy Scout, Cookies!” I told them that I didn’t understand what Boy Scout or Girl Scout’s things because I wasn’t born in U.S. Then I found out that they were selling cookies, but WHAT REASON I WOULD EAT STRANGERS’ COOKIES? I did very afraid of being revenged because I had no idea where these people come from, I couldn’t even see their faces clearly. I consequently found that the man like CASH instead, so I finally gave them money to send them away. In the following week, I discovered that the man lived one block from me on 34th Ave SW, he never identified himself, or greeted with me during my 5-year dwelling as a neighbor. I was very irritated, and initially called the Boy Scout to complain and was informed that Boy Scout doesn’t sell cookies…I hate the disturbances, have received enough phone scams, and am tired of dealing with burglary, GIRL SCOUT, BOY SCOUNT, WHATEVER please leave me alone!!!

BJ February 24, 2010 (9:03 am)

This is without a doubt the same guy that came to my door last week that I reported…

https://westseattleblog.com/2010/02/door-to-door-alert-its-just-a-penny

Tired of door to door February 24, 2010 (7:58 pm)

Tonight we had a man come to the door after dark solicting for something called ” New Beginnings”.

No ID. Dressed nicely with white shirt and tie.
Starts off with the same ole I have talked with your neighbors and they have donated…..

My husband told him no and asked him why he was going around door to door at this time of night. The man kept walking away.

We live in North Admiral near Sunset.

Sue February 25, 2010 (8:37 am)

I just posted this in a forum thread, but will repeat it here since not everyone reads the forum.
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I figure people are going door-to-door for one of two reasons: either (1) they’re trying to get $ from you (whether legitimate or scam), or (2) because they’re up to no good (casing and/or causing immediate harm). If they’re trying to get $ (for whatever reason), they must be somewhat successful or else they’d stop doing it. If people aren’t expecting someone and don’t know who it is, don’t open the door. Yell through the door, get a peep-hole installed on your door to check on them. If they keep getting $, they will keep trying. If their intent is to cause harm to person and/or property, you can protect yourself by not opening the door to begin with.
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I think people are just so afraid of seeming rude by ignoring them. But there’s no rule that says if my phone or doorbell rings that I must answer it.

Sorry, comment time is over.