Police: Be Wary of Door-to-Door Solicitors

With nicer weather upon us, the Wakefield Police Department is advising residents to be wary of any sales men or women who show up on their doorsteps selling products or services.

"There are a few scams going around," said Lieutenant Craig Calabrese of the Wakefield Police Department. "There was someone who charged a woman $3,000 for $400 worth of driveway pavement, and we've also had several recent house breaks, which could be related."

All solicitors in Wakefield must apply for a solicitor's license according to the town's bylaw. A licensed solicitor will display a small lanyard to note they've been registered with the town.

Lt. Calabrese said people tend to go door-to-door to offer paving, window washers, tree work, yard work, chimney repairs, and similiar services.

Some, although unregistered, are legitimate, however, a few incidents recently in town involving suspicious solicitors have Wakefield Police asking residents to notify them of anyone soliciting without a registration in their neighborhood.

A couple of weeks ago, a resident reported seeing a man driving a red pickup truck with a Maine license plate in a neighborhood going door-to-door to solicit tree company services from New England Tree Company. However, when police followed up with the company, the owner said they were not currently doing any work in Wakefield.

Then last week, a home in the neighborhood was broken into during the day.

Police can't say for sure if the two incidents are related; however, they are advising residents to be aware.

"We would like to know if someone comes to your door asking to get rid of the leaves in your backyard or a chimney person or someone offering to wash your windows, and they're unregistered," said Lt. Calabrese.