Washoe County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested two people on charges related to engaging in business without a license after a homeowner alerted authorities to suspicious activity in the Cold Springs area last Friday.
Deputies arrested Jonathan Acosta of Oregon along with a female companion last Friday after authorities responded to a resident’s concern about a suspicious person going door-to-door asking for monetary donations to be used for ‘care packages’ for soldier overseas.
Deputies say the duo left the area before they arrived on scene, but a subsequent investigation, deputies found both people and determined that they were practicing without a business license.
The woman’s name hasn’t been released.
The Sheriff’s Office reminds all area homeowners to consider their safety before opening their doors. Here are some guidelines on how to help protect you and your family from illegal solicitors:
If you don’t know the person, don’t open the door. Never feel obligated to greet an unfamiliar person knocking at your door.
Solicitors must have a business license and permit. Call your local law enforcement agency if a solicitor is aggressively attempting to get into your home or refusing to show their license/permit.
If you are not interested, simply close the door and lock it. You don’t owe the person an explanation.
Always keep doors and windows locked. Storm doors or security doors are helpful when dealing with solicitors, because you can see and speak safely through the door. Use extreme caution before allowing an unfamiliar person into your home.
Don’t expect all perpetrators of door-to-door sales scams to look the part. Some are clean and well-dressed and use special psychological techniques to try to get into your home or get your money.
Always use extreme caution before providing any personal or financial information.
Take a look around the front of your home to see what is visible from the street. If you can see your valuable items through the front windows, so can potential burglars.
Residents can put a “no solicitors” sign on their door to help keep solicitors away.
If you observe suspicious activity, notify your local law enforcement immediately.
If you think you may have been a victim of a solicitation scam, please contact the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office at (775) 328-3002 or on line at WashoeSheriff.com
