People Selling Magazines in Lake Shastina

SUMMER TIME SCAM BEWARE
By Officer Rusty R. Owens
Lake Shastina Police Department

Chief of Police
Rick Alves

“Our organization was founded to give kids like me summer jobs so we can stay off the streets and avoid gangs and drugs. Can you help us by buying our product?”

“I’m selling magazine subscriptions to earn a college scholarship. For each magazine I sell, the group I work for provides scholarship funds for my education, or I win a trip.”

Sound familiar? Every year crews of teenagers and young adults travel to towns across the country peddling magazines, cleaning products or other items. They show up on your doorstep with stories such as how you can help them avoid inner-city troubles by buying their product. The cause sounds admirable, they appear to be hard working, so why not help out?

Before making a decision, The Lake Shastina Police Department and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises you to consider the following: The National Consumers League estimates that 50,000 children nationwide are involved in traveling sales crews selling consumer items door-to-door and on city street corners. The youth groups are transported hundreds of miles from their homes, often across state lines. Unfortunately, many of these young people are victims. The League has consistently ranked traveling crews among the worst jobs available for youth and indicates that they can also constitute a dangerous environment

Employing the young plays on your sympathy, it may also violate state wage and employment laws. Various news media have reported abusive treatment of young sales crews. Minors report having been sexually harassed and physically assaulted some have been left stranded with no means of transportation home. In addition, the young people are typically expected to work long hours with little rest and it is not uncommon for them to be exposed to illegal drugs or underage drinking. Parents often discover too late the perils to which their children have been exposed.

Certainly, there are legitimate youth fundraisers. In addition, yes, they may come knocking. However, the next time a youth sales crew appears on your doorstep, it may be wise not to assume that it represents a local school or youth group. Ask for the name of the organization and other details. You may also want to inquire about the welfare of the young worker. Siskiyou County requires licensing for door-to-door sales, so do inquire and verify that aspect of any door-to-door sales presentation.
Sunday, June 21, 2010: The Lake Shastina Police in an ongoing investigation of door-to-door salespersons complaints, charged one man for selling items without permits and obtaining money by false pretenses. He had extensive criminal backgrounds; there were also active warrants out California for him, one for $25, 000.00 and another for $10,000.00. for soliciting with no permits or business license. During the on going investigation, officers contacted several Lake Shastina and Weed residents who said that the man gave different names, and stories to why he was selling the magazines.
Some included 1) Helping the military soldiers in Iraq
2) Just graduated from Mt. Shasta High School
Options: If you have been contacted by one of these sales person by federal law you have 3 business days to cancel the order with the company. You can cancel your check or credit card transaction by calling your bank or credit card company.
If you have any questions or concerns please call or e-mail investigating Officer Rusty Owens at the Lake Shastina Police Department, 530-938-2226, rusty@lakeshastina.com.
Information contained in this bulletin has been taken from Lake Shastina Police Department, Better Business Bureau, California Attorneys Generals Office and the Federal Trade Commission websites and news articles.