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Authorities issue warning about suspicious door-to-door salesmen

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh police are warning Brookline residents about suspicious door-to-door salesmen who have been causing problems in the area.
 
Zone 6 officers say they've been called several times in the past three days by people reporting suspicious behavior or aggressive panhandling by peddlers going door to door to solicit business for a home alarm system.
 
Police believe the peddlers may be targeting homes that currently have yard signs for various alarm companies.
 
On one instance, a male peddler was invited inside by a homeowner.
 
The homeowner provided her contact information to the man and he told her that he would have to confirm her information with a third party to ensure that she was the owner of the residence.
 
The resident felt uncomfortable with some of the questions and asked him to leave her property.
 
After the resident demanded twice that the peddler leave, he finally did.
 
The man then walked across the street to another home.
 
The salesman was described as a white male, 20-30 years old, medium build, 6 feet 8 inches tall, with brown hair, a black jacket, blue jeans and a white ID badge.
 
In another instance, a male peddler attempted to speak with the resident who told him she was not interested and asked him to leave.
 
Speaking through the home's door, the salesman continued insisting that the woman needed to update her alarm system.
 
When she told him she was calling the police, he quickly left the area. Zone 6 officers searched but were unable to locate the peddler.
 
Linda Strutt, who works in the area, said one of her customers was approached at home.
 
"They wanted to go in his house. He said, 'No, I can't let you in until you give me a quote,'" Strutt said. "They said, 'We can't give you a quote until we come in.' He didn't let them in."
 
Vendors are required to display a City of Pittsburgh mobile peddler license when selling items door to door.
 
The license will have the vendor's photo and name printed on the front of the card.
 
The back will list the peddler's address, goods offered for sale and the peddler's signature. The ID card for 2014 is canary yellow.
 
Police ask people to report suspicious or criminal activity behavior by calling 911.
 
They recommend inspecting the peddler license before talking to those who go door to door. Police also advise not to allow strangers inside your house.