Police warn of scams by solicitors
From the Lake Saint Louis Police Department
June 4, 2009
Lake Saint Louis, MO
The Lake Saint Louis Police Department is investigating an apparent scam involving young people soliciting donations for athletic teams, selling books and magazines or offering to do household chores at a later date in exchange for a donation.
Attempts to contact the company by telephone have been unsuccessful. It is also likely the solicitors are back-dating the receipts they issue to prevent consumers from having a 72-hour window within which they can cancel the orders. These individuals did not apply for or receive identification cards as required by the city.
The receipts they provide bear the company name Quality Subscriptions, Inc. and show a post office box address in Buford, Georgia. A search performed on the Metro Atlanta, Athens and NE Georgia Better Business Bureau website disclosed that the company is not a Better Business Bureau Accredited Business and received an “F” rating – the lowest ranking possible.
A corporation search on the Georgia Secretary of State’s website disclosed that the people who operate the company are affiliated with a number of other business names, including United Family Circulation, Inc., Tuscan Readers Services, Inc., and Periodical & Publication Connection, Inc., and Ultimate Power Sales, Inc. Citizens should be aware that any or all of these companies may be involved in fraudulent activity.
Any person who attempts to make personal contact with a Lake Saint Louis resident at his or her home without prior specific invitation or appointment for the primary purpose of attempting to sell a good or service, for the primary purpose of attempting to obtain a donation, or for the purpose of distributing a flyer or handbill advertising a commercial event or service is required to make application with the city and obtain an identification card. This ID must be visibly worn by the individuals at all times while they are approaching residences in the city.
Identification cards are also made available to, but not required of, canvassers who attempt to make personal contact with residents for the purpose of enlisting support for or against a particular religion, philosophy, ideology, political party, issue or candidate or distributing handbills or flyer advertising for a non-commercial event or service. Federal, State and local government employees and public utility employees in the performance of their duties are exempt from the identification card requirement. However, those individuals should have and be prepared to display appropriate identification upon request of a resident.
Residents should immediately notify the police of any suspicious person, vehicle or activity. The Lake Saint Louis Police are asking that anyone who believes he or she may have been a victim of this scan to report the incident by calling 636-625-8018.
Copyright 2009 Neighbors About Town
