Police: Group selling carpet cleaning may be a scam

When an Aiken resident opened her door to a group of door-to-door salesmen earlier this week, she unwittingly found herself in the middle of a possible scam.

The woman called Aiken Public Safety because the group of men, who said they were selling carpet cleaning services, became belligerent when she refused their offer, officials said. And it appears as if she isn't alone.

An Internet search of the West Columbia-based Roberts & Associates shows several people in the state had similar run-ins, officials said

On Wednesday, Aiken Public Safety Sgt. Aaron Dowdy called the organization and talked with a representative.

Dowdy said the men had no business in Aiken - literally. They did not apply for a City of Aiken business license nor did they have a peddler's permit.

Anyone who solicits business door-to-door in the City must have a copy of both permits, he said.

The purpose of the documentation is, in part, to protect the public, he explained.

Peddler's permits are issued by the Director of Aiken Public Safety only after an applicant has submitted to a background check and been fingerprinted.

It's not a perfect solution, but Dowdy said people who get the permits and pass the background checks are typically trying to follow the rules.

Residents should ask to see the paperwork, he added.

Dowdy told the representative by phone that the organization needed the proper paperwork or those selling door-to-door may face arrest.

"This type of thing is not unusual," Dowdy said.

Earlier this year, Dowdy said a group of men and women selling cleaning products ended up under arrest.

They had been warned several times that they needed the permits or they would be charged.

Police ended up taking eight of those hawking the cleaning products to jail, he said.

Contact Karen Daily at kdaily@aikenstandard.com.