Possible Door to Door scam knocks on Roanoke’s door

By Mollie Halpern
Investigative Reporter
Published: April 29, 2008

Chris Sha says his quite Raleigh Court neighborhood had an uninvited guest.
He says, “I spoke to him for about 10 minutes and asked him to show what kind of company they are.“
Sha says a man claimed to volunteer for “Dedicated Turnaround LLC”—a non-profit organization that sells magazine subscriptions to help young adults with job training.
A man matching the same description told Sha’s next door neighbor that he was a war hero.
Oscar Phillips says, “He had just gotten back from two tours of duty, matter of fact he told me and that he had two purple hearts and been shot twice.“
WSLS 10 On Your Side looked into “Dedicated Turnaround”.
The company is Florida-based.
In order to solicit in Virginia, companies must register with the Office of Consumer Affairs.
We checked—and it did not.
Registration ensures that the Commonwealth has the company’s financial information so that you can determine how it spends your money.
The Better Business Bureau says using emotional pleas that really tug at the heart strings help these people make the sale. and it’s something you’ll hear more of as the weather gets warmer and these people hit the streets in your neighborhood.
So here’s what to do if you get a knock at your door:
    - Check to see if the organization is registered with the Office of Consumer Affairs. 
    - Ask to see the individual’s Peddler’s license from the locality.
    - If you do buy something, remember that federal law allows you to cancel your subscription within three days.
Neither of the two neighbors we spoke to bought any magazines.
The Better Business Bureau has no record of the company, which means it has not received any complaints or recommendations about it.

Click here for more information