10..22.19 – Magnoliareporter.com –
The public is being warned about alarm businesses who are subjecting consumers to aggressive door-to-door sales practices, deceptive marketing and refusal to honor timely contract cancellations.
Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge is sending an advisory letter to residential alarm companies due to an increasing number of complaints against these businesses.
In 2018, Rutledge’s office received more than 100 complaints.
“My office has received too many complaints against alarm companies, and this advisory is an opportunity to educate companies about their obligations and to inform potential buyers of their rights,” said Rutledge. “Working with businesses in advance will alleviate potential illegal activity and prevent many consumers from jumping into contracts.”
Rutledge’s advisory highlights provisions of the Home Solicitation Sales Act (HSSA) and the Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA), with specific requirements with which each company, contract and employee must comply:
- At every interaction, the salespersons must clearly disclose which company they represent and that their purpose is to sell goods or services.
- Misrepresenting the nature of the contact as a quiz, survey or model home offer or anything other than a sales contact is illegal.
- Alarm companies must provide oral and written notice of the consumer’s three-day right to cancel at the time of the sale.
- Salespersons and written contracts must clearly disclose the total price, down payment, unpaid balance, the number, amount and due dates for payments, and accurately describe the goods and services sold.
- Automatic renewal of professional home security contracts after the initial contract term may only be in successive monthly terms.
- Contracts shall conspicuously state that the consumer has the right to terminate the contract without additional penalty at the end of the initial term.
People with complaints about alarm companies may call the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-482-8982.