The South Bend Police Department says some salesmen are going door-to-door and scamming residents.

They’re posing as employees from legitimate companies like ADT and targeting residents who already have security systems.

The representatives have tried to get consumers to purchase upgrades to their current security system, but are unable to provide verification of their employment.

“I thought it was very suspicious when I asked for a brochure, some kind of info, he didn’t have any,” said South Bend resident Melissa Fruscione, who got a visit from a man posing as an ADT representative a week ago. “When I asked for a business card, he didn’t have that either.”

For Fruscione, the fraud was pretty easy to spot.

“He did leave me his name and number and told me he worked out of Tempe,” she said. “So I Googled it and found a business with an address, but no website. So I thought that was very suspicious for that company.”

Unfortunately, some people have fallen for the charade

The SBPD says when the fake representatives make a sale, extra equipment and an additional contract with the new alarm company is put into place and the homeowner or business has what amounts to two alarm services.

Police says homeowners should carefully check the credentials of anyone selling products and read the entire contract before signing an agreement.