SALEM, ore. -- APX Alarm Security systems has agreed to pay the state of Oregon a $60,000 fine and change its practices.
The Utah-based company did not admit guilt. The settlement dates back to practices in 2008.
This company, APX was engaged in truely outrageous conduct, said Oregon Attorney General John Kroger. Kroger said consumers complained that APX sales representatives used aggressive sales tactics, including falsely stating a consumer's neighbor had just been robbed or burglarized; refusing to leave consumer's homes for hours; and claiming partnerships with fire or police associations in order to close the sale.
Salem resident Dorothy Kliewer filed one of the complaints. She's 85 years old and lives alone in a mobile home. She clearly remembers the day in May of 2008 when an APX security salesman convinced her to sign a contract for a security system.
She said he promised she could cancel the system the next day if she wanted.
Well, I didn't have my glasses on, and dumb me, I did sign that. But when I came around the house, the door was open and people were in here already installing it, she said.
As a result of the settlement, the company uninstalled Dorothy's system.
Stuart Dean, a spokesman for APX Alarm Security, issued a statement that read in part the company has over 2,400 customers in Oregon, and has worked to address the minimal number of issues raised by a handful of customers. The statement continued, we are fully confident we are not only in full compliance with the laws but have exceeded the standards as outlined.
