Opportunity knocks? Not always. How to protect yourself from door-to-door scams

It’s a familiar scene: You sit down for Sunday dinner, and just as the food hits the table, there’s an unexpected knock on the door. Before you know it, you’re in the middle of a 10-minute sales pitch while the salad gets soggy, the chicken dries out and the dogs keep barking.

Door-to-door salespeople, locally referred to as solicitors and peddlers, have been around since the advent of business. Summer is a prime season for Minnesota solicitors to hit the streets of Eden Prairie in search of sales.

Not all solicitors are alike, and it’s important for residents to understand the city’s ordinances and permit process, which safeguard against fraud, scams and bad actors.

Door-to-door sellers must be approved by the city

According to the Eden Prairie Police Department (EPPD) blog, all solicitors must submit a permit application that is reviewed by the EPPD’s licensing specialist, including a background check and record searches related to the individual and company they represent. Approved solicitors receive an ID card with a photo and permit number that is required to be visible before they knock on your door. The city allows soliciting between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. seven days a week.

While exceptions are made for school district fundraisers, church members and other nonprofits – so yes, you’ll still get your Girl Scout cookies – anyone selling a for-profit product or service must adhere to the permit policy.

Permit applications on the rise

In 2024, the city received 94 permit applications, an increase of 38% over the 68 received in 2023 and nearly double that of 2022, which saw 48 applications. Over the past seven years, the city’s highest volume of solicitor applications came in 2020 (134), coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic and widespread shelter-in-place mandates.

While overall applications increased last year, the city approved just 73%, including those that were withdrawn or incomplete – its lowest approval rate over the same seven-year period.

But even as official applications trend higher, many unlicensed solicitors are still going door-to-door in Eden Prairie without a license or ID card. These individuals tend to offer seasonal products and services ranging from roofing repairs and driveway sealants to pest control and landscaping.

Protect yourself from unlawful or unethical solicitors

While not answering the door is always an option, solicitors can be quite persistent and may simply return the next day. If you do open the door, EPPD recommends taking the following steps to identify potential fraud and report suspicious activity.

• If a solicitor is selling a for-profit product or service, ask to see their Eden Prairie ID card if it is not already visible.

• If they do not have an ID card, ask for another form of identification with their name, phone number, and company details. Report this information, along with any flyers, sales materials, or camera/doorbell recordings, to the EPPD by email.

• If they refuse to identify themselves, call the EPPD non-emergency line at 952-949-6200. If the situation escalates or becomes confrontational, immediately call 911. It’s important to always report these situations to protect you and your neighbors.

You can also take a more proactive stance to avoid solicitors by posting a “Peddlers and Solicitors Prohibited” sign near the main entrance of your home. EPPD provides these signs for free at the police department reception desk in City Center. While some solicitors may still come to your door, you can point to the sign and ask them to leave before contacting police.

What to do if you regret making a purchase

While many solicitors offer legal products and services, you should always take time to research the individual and company, even if they are licensed. Solicitors often use sales tactics such as one-time discounts or limited-time promotions to pressure customers into making a purchase.

If you do buy a product or service valued at more than $25, Minnesota law requires the solicitor to provide a notice of cancellation at the time of sale. This gives buyers the right to cancel the purchase within three days without penalty.