The City of Twin Falls is reminding citizens to request that door-to-door salespeople display City licenses when soliciting any financial transaction. And in the event that a salesperson refuses or cannot display a City license, citizens are encouraged to call the Twin Falls Police Department.
In an effort to protect citizens, the City requires that all individuals doing door-to-door sales carry with them a City issued license. The licenses are issued by the Twin Falls City Clerk who checks each applicant for criminal history and legitimacy. According to Chapter 14 of Twin Falls City Code, any transient businesses soliciting sales or services by going door-to-door are required to show a license when requested by a citizen or police officer.
Over the years a number of incidents have occurred in Twin Falls where individuals posing as salespeople conducting door-to-door sales have attempted to defraud citizens of cash or belongings. In other cases, legitimate salespeople without licenses have been overly aggressive or deceptive in transactions with citizens. City licenses also ensure that legitimate salespeople understand appropriate conduct when approaching customers at their homes.
Excluded from the City license requirement are non-profits, religious and civic groups, and other organizations that are not soliciting for-profit financial transactions.
“Although most individuals who conduct door-to-door sales are legitimate, there are others who prey on our citizens for financial gain,” said Capt. Anthony Barnhart, Twin Falls Police Department. “But those incidents can be prevented by simply asking to see a City license. We ask that any citizen who is approached by someone doing door-to-door sales who cannot provide a City license to contact the Twin Falls Police Department. If it’s someone who was unaware that they needed a license, we can assist them in the process.”
Individuals attempting to defraud citizens in door-to-door sales can be very convincing, even providing duplicated materials or services from legitimate businesses. Any citizen who believes a transient salesperson is operating without a City license should call the Twin Falls Police Department’s non-emergency line at 735-4357. If any citizen feels threatened, they should call 911 immediately.