A door to door sales company, the subject of a rash of resident complaints late last year in Red Deer, must pay $15,000 for 3 tickets it has received from the City of Red Deer for operating without a business license.

Edmonton based Eco Global misrepresented themselves as being associated with the City when they were going to doors, trying to sell residential hot water heaters and water filtration systems.

The City says the company did apply for and receive 5 business licenses last October but they were revoked by the City just days later based on the volume of complaints and context of the concerns.

Eco Global did try to appeal, but the Review and Appeal Board upheld the decision to have the business licenses revoked.

Despite those actions, the company headed back out door to door in December, targeting primarily seniors with aggressive sales tactics and misleading residents into thinking they were visiting homes on behalf of the City or province.

The City is reminding residents to protect themselves when dealing with door to door salespeople, providing these tips:

  • Do not let strangers into your home unless they have displayed their business license and identification; even then, it is always your right to refuse to allow them entry.
  • Never provide personal information (bank account information, bills, SIN, date of birth, credit card numbers or PIN) at the door or over the phone, unless you have initiated the business relationship.
  • Citizens can also call Inspections & Licensing at 403-342-8182 to verify if a business has a license.
  • Research a business and ask questions before making a transaction.
  • Avoid high-pressure sales tactics and immediate decisions.
  • Report wrongdoing or suspect behavior to RCMP at 403-343-5575.

The City of Lacombe warned residents about the same company in early January.

City officials say the municipality has not issued any tickets in regards to Eco Global and they received no further complaints following their warning to residents.