The N.C. Attorney General's Office is sounding the alarm about alarm companies trying to get your business.
Officials say the N.C. Attorney General's Office received more than 600 calls in 2012 about getting telemarketing calls pitching alarm systems. The call often starts with an alarming recorded message, saying the FBI or SBI is seeing a spike in burglaries in your area. The message then says you can get an alarm system for free if you agree to put the alarm company's sign in your yard.
State law prohibits a business from calling you with a recorded message. Anyone who signed up for the Do Not Call Registry should not receive any telemarketing calls.
The N.C. Attorney General's Office says you should not respond to these calls if you get them. The message might give you the choice to press a number to stop future calls, but they recommend you do not push the number. Pressing a number confirms that the telemarketers have reached a valid phone number, and you’re likely to get more calls instead of fewer.
You're also urged to report the calls to the N.C. Attorney General's Office either online at ncdoj.gov, or toll-free at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.
Officials remind you that accurate information about crime rates in your area are available with local law enforcement or online at ncdoj.gov.
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