Common Red Flags Of Home Security Systems Companies
It may be hard to believe, but scams exist, even in the home security industry. Those who are looking for their first home security company or a new system after many years can become easy targets if they aren't aware of what to be looking for.
The "Older System" Explanation
You may have been visited at your home by a salesperson. During your conversation, they may have told you that your local emergency services are 'phasing out' their responses to signals from older systems like yours. Another tactic is to tell you that your security company will soon be going out of business.
This type of scam may also involve high-pressure sales tactics. But the salespeople who arrive at your home may be quite unassuming, dressed neatly and appearing quite informative about the home security industry.
Security For Free
This is probably the most common home security scam. If this seems too good to be true, it most likely is. The salesperson may offer a free upgrade, equipment at no cost, or the installation of an entire system in exchange for placing their signs or stickers in your windows and on your roperty.
Of course, in exchange for the 'free' system, they will also need you to commit to some sort of contract. Free systems like these are often very badly assembled, and will not adequately protect you should an invasion occur. As well, what you end up paying in the contract you sign will usually extend beyond what a legitimate system would cost you.
Common Complaints Of New Security System Owners
The installation of a home security system can cause a lot of unnecessary panic in the first few months. Some things can occur with a home security company that may raise suspicion about whether or not the right company was chosen, or make a homeowner wonder if they've been scammed.
Automatic Contract Renewal
You may find that your alarm company will automatically renew your contract. This is actually a very common practice, with an automatic renewal clause being a part of your original service contract.
Cancelling this type of contract early may result in a penalty. Usually, this penalty will be in the form of a high percentage or the full percentage of your contract's monetary value.
Going with a local company may result in your contract being more flexible. Be sure to communicate your wishes to have a non-renewing contract of one year at the outset.
Alarm Activated, But No Phone Call
If you set your alarm off accidentally and then disarm it, don't expect your alarm company to call you. There are false alarm reduction practices in place, such as the grace period, which allows you, for example, 30 seconds to input your security code, with an additional 30 seconds to input a valid code if you enter the wrong one the first time.
If you enter the right code the second time, your alarm company will note that all is well, making a call unnecessary.
It may be hard to believe, but scams exist, even in the home security industry. Those who are looking for their first home security company or a new system after many years can become easy targets if they aren't aware of what to be looking for.
The "Older System" Explanation
You may have been visited at your home by a salesperson. During your conversation, they may have told you that your local emergency services are 'phasing out' their responses to signals from older systems like yours. Another tactic is to tell you that your security company will soon be going out of business.
This type of scam may also involve high-pressure sales tactics. But the salespeople who arrive at your home may be quite unassuming, dressed neatly and appearing quite informative about the home security industry.
Security For Free
This is probably the most common home security scam. If this seems too good to be true, it most likely is. The salesperson may offer a free upgrade, equipment at no cost, or the installation of an entire system in exchange for placing their signs or stickers in your windows and on your roperty.
Of course, in exchange for the 'free' system, they will also need you to commit to some sort of contract. Free systems like these are often very badly assembled, and will not adequately protect you should an invasion occur. As well, what you end up paying in the contract you sign will usually extend beyond what a legitimate system would cost you.
Common Complaints Of New Security System Owners
The installation of a home security system can cause a lot of unnecessary panic in the first few months. Some things can occur with a home security company that may raise suspicion about whether or not the right company was chosen, or make a homeowner wonder if they've been scammed.
Automatic Contract Renewal
You may find that your alarm company will automatically renew your contract. This is actually a very common practice, with an automatic renewal clause being a part of your original service contract.
Cancelling this type of contract early may result in a penalty. Usually, this penalty will be in the form of a high percentage or the full percentage of your contract's monetary value.
Going with a local company may result in your contract being more flexible. Be sure to communicate your wishes to have a non-renewing contract of one year at the outset.
Alarm Activated, But No Phone Call
If you set your alarm off accidentally and then disarm it, don't expect your alarm company to call you. There are false alarm reduction practices in place, such as the grace period, which allows you, for example, 30 seconds to input your security code, with an additional 30 seconds to input a valid code if you enter the wrong one the first time.
If you enter the right code the second time, your alarm company will note that all is well, making a call unnecessary.