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Maine.gov > All Press Releases > Department of Professional and Financial Regulation Issues Consumer Alert on Door-to-Door Home Repair and Selling of Merchandise

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MAINE DEPARTMENT OF PROFESSIONAL
AND FINANCIAL REGULATION

35 SHS, Augusta, Maine 04333

 
Phone: (207) 624-8500
Fax: (207) 624-8690
TTY: Please Call Maine Relay 711

Department of Professional and Financial Regulation Issues Consumer Alert on Door-to-Door Home Repair and Selling of Merchandise

 

March 19, 2010

 

 

Following reported concerns in Waterville regarding questionable door-to-door selling of lawn and driveway paving services, Maine’s Department of Professional and Financial Regulation is urging consumers to use caution when purchasing merchandise or home repair services from door-to-door salespersons.

Commissioner Anne L. Head reminds consumers to check the license status of any door-to-door seller of products or services, and to report concerns or possible violations of law to local police officials and the Attorney General’s Office. Door-to-door sellers are typically required to be licensed through the Office of Licensing and Registration at the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation. Home repair workers soliciting outside their home municipality and transient merchandise sellers without a permanent Maine address must be licensed.

“With improving weather and thoughts turning to lawn and home projects, Maine consumers need to be aware that home repair and door-to-door selling scams may be more prevalent this time of year,” Commissioner Head commented. “We should all be cautious and well-informed when purchasing products or agreeing to repairs from individuals who show up at our door.”

The Office of Licensing and Registration’s Transient Sellers Program (www.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/professions/transientsellers) and the Door-to-Door Home Repair Seller Program (www.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/professions/doorto_door) maintain and provide license status information. They also compile and make available a history of disciplinary actions taken against licensees. These licensing programs can be contacted online or by telephone at 207-624-8624.

The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division can be reached by calling 1-800-436-2131. More contact information is available at www.maine.gov/ag/consumer/complaints. Details about financial scams are available on the Attorney General’s website at www.maine.gov/ag/consumer.

Unlicensed door-to-door sellers can obtain information about become licensed by visiting www.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/professions/doortodoor/repair.htm.

Last Updated: March 21, 2010 2:43 PM