A Northstar alarm salesman came to my house to say I was in a perfect location and they would like to use my yard to advertise there company.in exchange they would give me a FREE system
I thought this may not be a bad idea so said I might be interested. He said he would be back the next day (in the area for the next 2) All he had was my name, address (easy to get since he was at me door) and phone number which I assumed he would call if he could not make it.
The next night he does not show and I had already checked on line and found I could spend a little for a system but get much cheaper monitoring at $9 a month instead of $39 which he said would be the only fee. It actually works out cheaper in the long run to buy a system and spend less on monitor. Once he did not show as he said and I decided this company is not reliable so if he does show the next night (Tonight) I would say not interested.
This morning I checked my e-mail and I see my credit monitoring has an alert. I check it and they have pulled my credit report. NEVER authorized and they were not given my SS#. I called the company and spoke with Ben Billingsly who basically said a SS number is not needed and they could pull the information. He really did not care but admitted maybe the salesman did not tell me he was going to pull this. I said I was going to check with the Texas attorney generals office and BBB. His comment "do what you feel you must do". BBB and the attorney generals office said there may be ways that as a potential customer they could get this data without a SS# but both thought this was unethical. The BBB was really surprised since this company is a member of the BBB.
Net result, I filed a BBB complaint. I contacted trans union (who they use) and was told they do not get the SS# but said too many inquiries could effect your credit rating. I am not worried about that, but there are probably plenty of others who this may have a negative effect on. It should be clearly stated when they show up at your door that they intend to check your credit before they even come back. Frankly this company is not something I would recommend and since I noticed the names of others in my neighbor hood I intend to warn them since they would not know unless they have a credit monitoring program too.
Based on the lack of sales skills of the salesman who showed up and the arrogant attitude of Ben Billingsly I Highly recommend when Northstar Alarm knocks at your door slam the door in their face!!!
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