I live in urban Philadelphia, Nicetown to be exact, and yes we have crimes. I am a renter, have been for the last 25yrs. I moved to Nicetown Philadelphia, from Elkins Park in Bensalem pa. I lived in apartment buildings. This was my first time ever renting a house... It's different than apartments. So on a nice warm day in October at around 6 or 7 pm, my doorbell rang, I went to answer it and it was a salesperson at my door. I at first told him I was not interested in anything that would cost me an usual amount of money as I am on a fixed income. (I am disabled through no fault of my own, and I am not illiterate. At this time I was and still am under a Dr's care, i am on anti depression meds and pain meds, I also take meds for asthma and yes I was medicated when the salesman showed up at my door) The salesman was nice and understanding, but neverthe less he was still confident and persevering. He asked me a few questions about the neighborhood, and then proceeded to provide me with some alarming facts that I was not aware of about the neighborhood where I now reside. So when he started talking about a free alarm system (If I let them use my house for advertising) with no installation charges, I started listening. He was knowledgeable and courteous, but he talked fast. It was late and he was rushing to get me to sign up in a hurry, because the installation guy was in the area at the time, but wouldn't be there for long. He quickly went throught the contract with me. The free installation, he informed me that the service would cost about 39.99 a month, he also told me I could take this system with me anywhere i moved, free of charge. Now what he didn't tell me, (he was pressed for me to read through the entire contract, he said that I needed to hurry up and sign the contract so he could schedule the installation before the installers left the area, also he didn't want his office to close before we could verify the contract.) Well he needed someone to verify my identity, that's all, so I gave him my Uncles name who by the way doesn't live with me, and owns his own house. I thought that was it. So after all was said and done, i talked with the office, at that time they did not inform me that the term of the contract was for three years. They did however inform me that their services are for HOMEOWNERS ONLY. Once I realized that I signed this contract in error, I tried to rescind it. They wouldn't let me. They are now sending bills in the name of my Uncle, who never signed any contract. His name is on it, there is a signature, but I signed that only because the representative stated that it was for verifying identity purposes only. They have him listed as my spouse, and he is my Uncle. I was taken advantage of, I was deceived. Besides the fact that I really can't afford this contract or the monthly payments, I asked them how could this contract be legal and binding if A. I was under the influence at the time I signed the contract and B. I am only renting and can prove that neither myself nor my Uncle owns this property.
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