The " free insulation " scam has just about run out of steam. Now the scammer ringing your doorbell is likely to be offering a set top box so that you can continue to enjoy television when the country goes digital.
There will be many variations on the offered scam. Some will insist that the price is subject to a future government reimbursement, while others will claim installation is required under newly passed laws - and failure to do so could attract a heavy fine.
In some cases the set top box actually does work - except that the price demanded is way above what it can be obtained for from a legitimate electrical store. In others, it is a worthless piece of junk that does absolutely nothing.
Unfortunately most householders are sitting ducks because of lack of knowledge about the change to digital TV. Most are aware that it will happen, but it will occur slowly and selectively across the nation - and be complete in 2013.
The best protection from door to door scams is to assume every caller is a crook trying to extort money. Ask to be given the proposal in writing - and then take the trouble to check it out with either the licensing authority involved - or a registered trading company in a similar line of business.
Rarely will that be necessary. At the first sign of a demand for verification these scammers f0ld and depart - and look for another victim !
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