Village of Westmont
Date Issued: July 24, 2013
“We’ve recently had a few calls regarding solicitors either going door-to-door or making calls to residents regarding their electric service,” says Police Chief Tom Mulhearn. “Some of these solicitors use tactics that seem to imply that they are affiliated with the Village and our current electric supplier, but this is not the case. Regarding any contact with a door-to-door solicitor, first confirm if they have a permit with the Village, and if they do not, please call 9-1-1 to report them immediately.”
First Energy Solutions was selected by the Village of Westmont to be the community’s official electric aggregate supply company and they do not make door-to-door solicitations. The Village of Westmont wants to make sure that residents are aware that any solicitation regarding your electric supplier is not affiliated with the Village of Westmont. Residents have the right to choose an electric supplier other than First Energy Solutions, but if the solicitor is making door-to-door solicitations, then they are required to have a permit. Also, it should be noted that while First Energy Solutions is the official electric supply company for the Village of Westmont, ComEd is still the electric distribution company and all billing is done through ComEd.
“It’s unfortunate, but there are many scam artists who prey on innocent people to rob them of their money,” adds Mulhearn. “Citizens who find themselves in need of assistance and the elderly are especially vulnerable.”
ALL SOLICITORS IN WESTMONT
MUST BE REGISTERED WITH THE VILLAGE
Per Village Ordinance, no person shall solicit any products or services house-to-house or within any business establishment without first having registered with the Village Clerk and obtained a permit.
Additionally, it shall be unlawful for any solicitor to enter any residential premises or to remain therein for the purpose of selling or taking orders for any commodity or service or for soliciting contributions of memberships of any nature, without the express or implied consent of the occupant of the premises.
It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in soliciting upon any premises or residence located thereon if such premises or residence is posted against solicitation by means of a notice, prominently displayed upon which is printed the legend " No Solicitors".
IF YOU ENCOUNTER A SOLICITOR
WITHOUT A PERMIT, CALL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY
The Westmont Police Department reminds our residents that if a solicitor comes to their home or business our residents should ask to see the solicitors village permit. If they do not have one, we recommend the resident not engage or conduct business with a non-registered solicitor and then call 9-1-1 immediately to report the solicitor. An officer will respond to the area to attempt to locate the solicitor and take appropriate action.
Residents may pick up and post a no solicitors sticker to be placed near their front door warning solicitors they are not welcome. If a solicitor ignores this warning, they can be charged with a village ordinance violation. The stickers are available at the Village Clerk's office free of charge.
As for phone solicitations, it is the decision of the resident to participate or accept the call or not. Residents can go to www.donotcall.gov to register to not receive telemarketing calls at home.
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Contact: Larry McIntyre
Village of Westmont Media Relations Coordinator
630-417-0280, lmcintyre@westmont.il.gov
