April 20, 2001 — An alleged door-to-door salesman is bilking would-be customers on St. Croix of their money, according to the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs.
In a statement Friday, DLCA Commissioner Andrew Rutnik alerted residents on St. Croix to be on the lookout for a door-to-door salesman who claims to sell furniture. Rutnik said DLCA has received several complaints from mostly elderly consumers who claim that they have given money to the salesman and have never seen him or the furniture after making a payment.
Rutnik said the alleged salesman is about 6-foot, 3-inches tall with a slim build and approximately 34 years old with brown eyes, black hair, of Middle-Eastern descent. He has been seen driving a white Ford Tempo.
After the salesman gets a payment up front for the furniture, he never returns, Rutnik said. One consumer has complained that the salesman altered the amount of her check and cashed it.
Rutnik is asking the public to call his Director of Consumer Services, Alli Paul, at 773-2226 or Detective Mark Corniero of the Virgin Islands Police Department at 778-1001, if they come in contact with anyone that fits the description. Recording the salesman’s vehicle license plate number is also important.
The DLCA advises consumers to demand a business license from anyone doing business. Also, consumers should go to established furniture stores to make purchases.
