The Bryan Police Department and College Station Police Department would like to inform our citizens of a few safety tips to use when encountering door-to-door sales people at their home or business. During the summer months we tend to see an increase in door-to-door salesmen offering products, services, and subscriptions for magazines or newspapers. Some of these salesmen use high-pressure tactics to pressure you into a sale. Others might possibly be a scam to get your money. Anyone selling items door-to-door in the City of Bryan or College Station must have a permit through the local City Hall. The permit must be on their person when soliciting and displayed upon request.

Here are some safety tips:
o Never allow a salesman into your home even to use the phone
o Ask the salesman for a City Permit to solicit
o Remember you can always say “No” to whatever they are selling
o Do not give them any personal information (date of birth, social security number, bank account info, etc.)
o Don’t feel pressured into making a purchase; typically the same products or services can be found here locally in the Bryan/College Station area
o If the salesman refuses to leave, please call 911
o If you live in an apartment complex, all services should be routed through your complex management. Do not believe that a product, service or subscription is mandatory inside the complex.
o Place a sign on your door that says “No Soliciting”

For more information on how to obtain a soliciting permit for the City of Bryan, please call 979-209-5010. For information on how to obtain a soliciting permit for the City of College Station, please call 979-764-3563. It is a violation of Bryan and College Station city ordinance to solicit without a permit. City issued permits are not valid on Texas A&M property and door-to-door sales are not permitted on TAMU campus either.

The safety of our community does not have borders. It is the goal of every law enforcement agency to protect the citizens that we serve. Be the eyes and ears of your police department. When you see suspicious activity contact the Texas A&M University Police Department at 979-845-2345; the College Station Police Department at 979-764-3600; or the Bryan Police Department or the Brazos County Sheriff’s Department at 979-361-3888. Together we can make a difference in our community.

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