Unethical Home Security Systems And You
- By Cindy Anderson
- Published 06/14/2011
- Tutorials
- Unrated
Virtually every homeowner knows the importance of home security systems, and the vital role they play in protecting you, your property, and your loved ones. However, when it comes to security systems that take your money, yet leave you vulnerable to attack, the greatest danger appears in the subtlest of ways. When taken at face value, those selling home security alarm systems that don't deliver on their promises seem genuine and knowledgeable. In fact, many of the representatives working for the company may not be aware that not everything is on the up-and-up, and would be as surprised as you are to learn what they're selling puts others in harm's way.
In order to avoid learning a valuable lesson the hard way, you need to educate yourself about how home security systems work, and what to look out for when someone comes knocking.
Avoid Getting Scammed By Home Security Systems
Quality home security systems are multi-faceted, complex pieces of equipment, and involve more than simply monitoring doors and windows. If a company offers to "upgrade" your current alarm package to their latest and greatest, it should use a combination of both silent and audible alarms, with trigger points placed strategically throughout the home. It should also have the ability to contact the police, fire department, or ambulance when necessary, ensuring that help is on the way whenever the alarm is activated.
Most comprehensive home security systems do more than simply protect your property. A majority of them also provide fire alarm service, flood detectors, and monitor levels of carbon monoxide, keeping your protected from all types of potential disasters.
Common Causes For Concern:
*A salesperson representing a company you've never heard of should immediately force you to view the situation with some skepticism. However, when he or she tries to tell you that your current provider has gone out of business, or they're no longer actually monitoring their home systems, it's best just to close the door. If your current provider had gone out of business, you'd have heard about it long before it happened.
* Remember that professionals always make appointments. While some reputable companies do send out door-to-door salespeople, most scams operate almost 100% through this method. If a company wants you to consider its security systems, insist on making an appointment at your convenience, and take the representative's card. Between now and then, use the Internet or contact the Better Business Bureau to check things out. If the company isn't legitimate, that representative won't be back for the follow-up visit.
* Trust your intuition. If something doesn't seem right, or too good to be true, it usually isn't. Home security alarm systems are meant to protect you, not become the thing that poses the greatest danger to your well-being.
Protecting yourself from those selling bogus home security systems isn't much different from protecting yourself from any other type of scam. In most cases, simply making a call or searching the internet for more information is enough to reveal scam artists for what they are. If a salesperson seems hurried, distrustful, or unwilling to answer your question, they're likely not representing the type of company you'd want to deal with, much less entrust your safety and well-being. The best home security systems are almost always those with national reputations, and years of visible results behind them.
In order to avoid learning a valuable lesson the hard way, you need to educate yourself about how home security systems work, and what to look out for when someone comes knocking.
Avoid Getting Scammed By Home Security Systems
Quality home security systems are multi-faceted, complex pieces of equipment, and involve more than simply monitoring doors and windows. If a company offers to "upgrade" your current alarm package to their latest and greatest, it should use a combination of both silent and audible alarms, with trigger points placed strategically throughout the home. It should also have the ability to contact the police, fire department, or ambulance when necessary, ensuring that help is on the way whenever the alarm is activated.
Most comprehensive home security systems do more than simply protect your property. A majority of them also provide fire alarm service, flood detectors, and monitor levels of carbon monoxide, keeping your protected from all types of potential disasters.
Common Causes For Concern:
*A salesperson representing a company you've never heard of should immediately force you to view the situation with some skepticism. However, when he or she tries to tell you that your current provider has gone out of business, or they're no longer actually monitoring their home systems, it's best just to close the door. If your current provider had gone out of business, you'd have heard about it long before it happened.
* Remember that professionals always make appointments. While some reputable companies do send out door-to-door salespeople, most scams operate almost 100% through this method. If a company wants you to consider its security systems, insist on making an appointment at your convenience, and take the representative's card. Between now and then, use the Internet or contact the Better Business Bureau to check things out. If the company isn't legitimate, that representative won't be back for the follow-up visit.
* Trust your intuition. If something doesn't seem right, or too good to be true, it usually isn't. Home security alarm systems are meant to protect you, not become the thing that poses the greatest danger to your well-being.
Protecting yourself from those selling bogus home security systems isn't much different from protecting yourself from any other type of scam. In most cases, simply making a call or searching the internet for more information is enough to reveal scam artists for what they are. If a salesperson seems hurried, distrustful, or unwilling to answer your question, they're likely not representing the type of company you'd want to deal with, much less entrust your safety and well-being. The best home security systems are almost always those with national reputations, and years of visible results behind them.
Cindy Anderson
Cindy Anderson has been working in the Security Alarm industry with TopAlarmCompanies.com for over five years. She uses her expertise to consult about alarm systems and finding top alarm companies and how to compare alarm quotes from professional security alarm companies for the past year. For more information, go to http://www.TopAlarmCompanies.com.
View all articles by Cindy Anderson