The next time you hear a knock at the door, it could be someone trying to sell an alarm system.
But as the KHOU 11 Investigates team found out, not everyone is peddling the truth and it could cost you a lot of money.
Since the beginning of the summer, we've heard about complaints from the Woodlands to Galena Park and Missouri City.
Homeowners like Brian Tancock are being bombarded by alarm salespeople.
"He just showed up at the door and that made me suspicious," admitted Tancock.
The salesman was peddling replacement parts for Tancock's current system.
"He said ADT just monitors your system, they don't have anything to do with your equipment," Tancock explained.
But that's not true.
It was just a sales pitch to get Tancock to sign up for five-year service with a completely different alarm company.
Each year, the Federal Trade Commission warns consumers about buying new alarm systems from door-to-door salespeople.
They might even read the back of your current deterrent yard sign to see the date you signed up for service and use that information to gain your trust at the door.
Homeowners could end up with two alarm company bills or hefty cancellation fees that can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Houston's Better Business Bureau has received nearly 300 complaints in the past year about door-to-door alarm sales companies.
"It's funny, it's about security and they're doing just the opposite," said BBB President Dan Parsons.
Parson suggests getting the literature and contact information and shutting the door!
"Well duh, check it out," said Parsons. "Find out the facts before you start handing over your life's savings and your information to these people."
ADT, one of the country's largest home alarm companies, receives an increase in complaints during the summer from its customers too.
"A couple of bad actors are kind of giving a reputation to the industry," said Kyle Pohja with ADT.
ADT says droves of young, newly-trained salespeople are brought to Houston from out-of-state. They're dropped off in large neighborhoods and spend the day soliciting door-to-door.
"They say things like you're company is going out of business or we're here to offer a free upgrade," Pohja said.
ADT even gave us cell phone video of a pitch from a company called Vision Security. ADT sued them for false and deceptive practices.
"So you're walking up to a house with a sign, this is what you do," explains the man in the video. "We do business with all the security companies. ADT is one of them."
The cell phone video was shot by a whistleblower who was in a classroom learning the tricks of the trade.
The man in the video continues his mock pitch.
"The reason why we're out here is we're just taking down those old panels, popping up a new one for ya, nothing you have to pay for. You gotta say that right off the bat.”
The suit was ultimately settled out of court but it hasn't stopped shady business.
Just ask Brian Tancock.
"He had an iPhone and iPad in his hand," he recalled.
In the end, Tancock shut the door on the deal but won't be surprised if he hears another pitch on his porch before the end of summer.
If an alarm salesperson shows up at your door, ask to see their company ID and their private registration card issued by the state of Texas. It looks a lot like a driver's license and it’s the law for salespeople to carry them. If they're legitimate, they will show it to you.
If you have any concerns or complaints, contact DPS Regulatory Services Division at: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/rsd/psb/consumer/info_complaints.htm or (512) 424-7293.