Attorney General Mark R. Herring today issued refund checks totaling $12,338.18 to twenty Virginia consumers, including several Virginia seniors, who were victims of allegedly deceptive door-to-door sales tactics by Trio Alarm, LLC.
A July 2015 settlement between Trio Alarm and Attorney General Herring’s Consumer Protection Section provides full restitution to consumers who were forced to pay for multiple home alarm contracts, or who had to pay large termination fees to get out of their contract with Trio.
“I’m really glad we were able to get full restitution for these folks, and that we’ve put a stop to these deceptive practices,” said Attorney General Herring. “It’s easy to feel pressure during a door-to-door sales interaction, but resist the pressure to sign or agree to anything you’re not comfortable with or don’t fully understand. Virginia law provides a no-excuse three day cancellation period for most door-to-door sales, so if you ever have second thoughts about a purchase consider exercising that right.”
In a Complaint filed with the settlement, Attorney General Herring’s Consumer Protection Section alleged that Trio Alarm, in connection with its door-to-door sales calls, tricked consumers into entering into multiple long-term home alarm monitoring agreements by giving the false impression that Trio Alarm was affiliated with the consumers’ current home security alarm company. Such misrepresentations included that:
- The Trio Alarm representative was there to provide a free upgrade or update to their existing home security system;
- Trio Alarm had purchased their current home security alarm contract;
- The Trio Alarm representative worked for the manufacturer of their home security alarm equipment; and
- The consumer was being switched to Trio Alarm for service, but that the consumer would later resume payments through their current home security alarm company.
When consumers signed agreements with Trio Alarm, they were then locked into multiple long-term alarm monitoring agreements or forced to pay large termination fees to Trio Alarm. The refund checks mailed today represent a full reimbursement of fees paid by consumers who paid double payments to Trio Alarm and another company, or who paid large buyouts to Trio Alarm to terminate their contract. The restitution amounts were determined by the Attorney General’s Office based on a review of complaints and other information received by the Attorney General’s Office. Several of the restitution recipients are senior citizens.
In November, Attorney General Herring announced the completion of a reorganizationof the OAG Consumer Protection Section to more efficiently and effectively enforce Virginia’s consumer protection laws, provide exceptional customer service in resolving complaints and disputes, and provide robust consumer education to keep Virginians from being victimized by fraud, scams, or illegal or abusive business practices.
Consumers can contact the Consumer Protection section for information or to file a complaint:
By phone: (800) 552-9963
By email: [email protected]
Online Contact Form/Online Complaint Form
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