Our neighborhood gets it share of door-to-door solicitors, as I'm sure does yours. After 20 years of answering the door, I'm at the point where I'm firm but polite -- "no sale here!" (save for the occasional girl scout cookies or wrapping paper from one of the neighborhood kids).
But the other day the doorbell rang, I answered the door, and then found myself doing something that I've regretted ever since.
The man at the door was an older gentleman, polite, had a clipboard of some sort, and he could see that I was ready for battle. We got right to the point. He wanted me to sign a petition to get an initiative on the ballot requiring any state bond expenditure over $2B to go to the voters first -- he used the example of the bullet train, of which I'm not a big fan. Sounded legit enough (although I got to thinking later -- wasn't the bullet train on the ballot and voters approved it? Hmm). in any event, after asking him a few more questions, I signed the petition on his very official looking forms and he went on his merry way.
Later, I got to thinking -- couldn't I have "signed" that petition online? If the guy was legit, no problem -- but if not, he now has my name, address, and signature (which is easily scanned) and could later be used for nefarious purposes. Probably the easiest identity theft job ever!
Hopefully, it won't come to that.
Now I'm even more jaded when it comes to those door-to-door sales folks. The next one doesn't stand a chance-- unless they're selling Girl Scout cookies, of course! Then it's me that doesn't stand a chance! :-)
But the other day the doorbell rang, I answered the door, and then found myself doing something that I've regretted ever since.
The man at the door was an older gentleman, polite, had a clipboard of some sort, and he could see that I was ready for battle. We got right to the point. He wanted me to sign a petition to get an initiative on the ballot requiring any state bond expenditure over $2B to go to the voters first -- he used the example of the bullet train, of which I'm not a big fan. Sounded legit enough (although I got to thinking later -- wasn't the bullet train on the ballot and voters approved it? Hmm). in any event, after asking him a few more questions, I signed the petition on his very official looking forms and he went on his merry way.
Later, I got to thinking -- couldn't I have "signed" that petition online? If the guy was legit, no problem -- but if not, he now has my name, address, and signature (which is easily scanned) and could later be used for nefarious purposes. Probably the easiest identity theft job ever!
Hopefully, it won't come to that.
Now I'm even more jaded when it comes to those door-to-door sales folks. The next one doesn't stand a chance-- unless they're selling Girl Scout cookies, of course! Then it's me that doesn't stand a chance! :-)
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