Scam Alert and Solicitor Information

Recently there have been burglaries/ thefts in the Metro Atlanta area involving work crew scams.  In these scams, the crew will say they are doing work in the neighborhood or at your neighbors house and it may affect your back yard.  They try to get the homeowner out of the house and to the back yard.  While walking to the back yard the worker will make a phone call and speak in code or a different language signaling the other members to enter the house and steal items while the homeowner is distracted.  Some of these crews have posed as tree cutting companies.

 

Also, do not allow solicitors that are not authorized by the City of Dunwoody to go door to door.  I have attached samples of the ID’s that solicitors should have on their person at all time and are REQUIRED to display if requested.

Please read the law as it applies to soliciting:

 

Sec. 10-88. - Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

 

Licensed solicitor means and includes any person who has obtained a valid permit as hereinafter provided, which permit is in the possession of the solicitor on his person while engaged in soliciting.

 

Residence means and includes every separate living unit occupied for residential purposes by one or more persons, contained within any type of building or structure.

 

Soliciting means and includes any one or more of the following activities:

 

(1) Seeking to obtain orders for the purchase of goods, wares, merchandise, foodstuffs, services, of any kind, character or description whatever, for any kind of consideration whatever;

 

(2) Seeking to obtain prospective customers for application or purchase of insurance of any type, kind or publication; or

 

(3) Seeking to obtain subscriptions to books, magazines, periodicals, newspapers and every other type or kind of publication.

(Comp. Ords. 2008, ch. 15, art. 3, § 1)

 

Sec. 10-89. - Permit required.

 

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the business of soliciting, calling on residences door-to-door without first having obtained a permit in accordance with the provisions contained in this chapter.

 

(b) The requirement of subsection (a) of this section is meant to apply to door-to-door solicitations for commercial transactions for profit only.

 

(1) It is not meant to regulate solicitation for charitable, political, or other nonprofit purposes provided that all sales proceeds are the property of and used by the nonprofit organization.

 

(2) It does not apply to officers or employees of the city, county, state, or federal governments, or any subdivision thereof, when on official business.

(

c) Each person shall at all times while soliciting in the city carry upon his person the permit so issued and the same shall be exhibited by such solicitor whenever he is requested to do so by any police officer or by any person solicited.

(d)

Each permit issued shall contain the name of the solicitor, the name and address of the person, firm or corporation or association by whom the solicitor is employed or represents, a photograph of the solicitor, and physical description. Such photograph shall be provided by the solicitor and shall be at least two inches by two inches in size.

 

(e) The permit shall state the expiration date thereof. In no event shall a permit be valid for more than three months. Upon expiration of the maximum three-month period, the permit holder may receive a renewal for an additional three-month period without any additional fees and without having to comply with section 10-90, so long as no more than one complaint has been submitted to the city concerning the permit holder.

(Comp. Ords. 2008, ch. 15, art. 3, § 2; Ord. No. 2011-09-30, § 1, 9-26-2011)

 

Sec. 10-93. - Prohibitions.

 

(a) Any licensed solicitor who shall be guilty of any fraud, cheating, or misrepresentation, whether himself or through an employee, while acting as a solicitor in the city, shall be deemed guilty of a violation of this chapter.

 

(b) It is hereby declared to be unlawful and shall constitute a nuisance for any person to go upon any premises and ring the doorbell upon or near any door, or create any sound in any other manner calculated to attract the attention of the occupant of such residence, for the purpose of securing an audience with the occupant thereof and engage in soliciting as herein defined if the occupant of said residence has made it clear, by written sign or otherwise, that solicitors are not invited.

 

(c) Any solicitor who has gained entrance to any residence, whether invited or not, shall immediately and peacefully depart from the premises when requested to do so by the occupant.

 

(d) Times allowed.

 

(1) It is hereby declared to be unlawful and shall constitute a nuisance for any person, whether licensed under this chapter or not, to go upon any premises and ring the doorbell upon or near any door of a residence located thereon, or rap or knock upon any door or create any sound in any other manner calculated to attract the attention of the occupant of such residence, for the purpose of securing an audience with the occupant thereof and engage in soliciting as herein defined, prior to 10:00 a.m. or after 6:30 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, or before 10:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Saving Time, Monday through Saturday, or at any time on Sunday, or on a state or national holiday.

 

(2) Solicitations for political purposes shall not occur prior to 10:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, or before 10:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Saving Time.