Solicitor Fraud
- February 2009 -
OMNI HORIZONS INC - If you are approached, CALL the Sheriff's Department at 202-1700.
Over the past week, sales persons form Omni-Horizons Inc. have been soliciting door-to-door selling magazine subscriptions. They have been in various neighborhoods in West Ashley, James and Johns Island , possibly Downtown.
While the supervisor does have a City Business License, the individual sales personnel should also have individual Peddlers Permits and they do not.
At least one, possibly several, of the sellers have been implicated in fraud concerning a check.
The victim had said she did not want to order magazines. The seller asked if she would sponsor a subscription of a kids' magazine to be delivered to a known lowcountry charity. The victim agreed and gave them a check. She was given a receipt from Omni-Horizon including the seller's name. She then allegedly changed the amount adding $100 and cashed it. The address given for the supposed charity was also incorrect.
I have also been receiving complaints of aggressive, persistent sales tactics. Some people are giving big checks to these people just to make them go away. THIS IS WRONG. CALL POLICE.
NEARLY ALL door-to-door sales persons (and even persons begging on the street) are operating unlawfully one way or another. They must have a visible permit, they cannot behave aggressively or intimidate. Even charitable organizations are required to get a permit.
A simple rule of thumb is to contact Police if you suspect improper sales tactics or procedures. DO NOT LET ANYONE IN YOUR HOME.
For these particular circumstances, if you wish to document a complaint against Omni-Horizons, you may contact Alan Horres in the business License office at 720-3846.
One thing you can do to help keep them away is a NO SOLICITING sign on your property. It does not work for one to just be placed at the front of a neighborhood unless it is a private community. However if they do come in a neighborhood with a sign, that should be an indicator of their disregard for the neighborhood's desires.
Again, call Police at 202-1700 to report them.
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