Sheriff's Office

For Immediate Release

Guide to door to door solicitors

The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office is noticing more members of the community encountering door to door solicitors. Many residents throughout the region have reported some door to door salespeople as aggressive, and suspicious in nature.

With this, the Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public what identification is required for door to door solicitors in unincorporated Washoe County to carry.

A person conducting lawful business door to door must carry two forms of documentation which must be presented upon request. First, a solicitor must have a business license obtained through the Washoe County Business Licensing Division that is specific for door to door sales. The person must also carry a solicitor work permit card obtained through the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office. This work permit card is a plastic, wallet-sized identification which also has a picture of the individual salesperson. These cards are valid for five years. A temporary (paper) work permit is provided by the Sheriff’s Office until the identification is mailed to the solicitor. The temporary permit is valid for 90 days from its date of issuance.

Both the business license and the work permit cards are to be presented upon request.

Here are some guidelines on how to help protect you and your family from illegal solicitors:

• If you don’t know the person, don’t open the door. Never feel obligated to greet an unfamiliar person knocking at your door.
• Always keep doors and windows locked. Storm doors or security doors are helpful when dealing with solicitors, because you can see and speak safely through the door. Never allow an unfamiliar person into your home.
• Solicitors must have a business license and permit. Call your local law enforcement agency if a solicitor is aggressively attempting to get into your home or refusing to show their license/permit.
• Always use extreme caution before providing any personal or financial information.
• If you are not interested, simply close the door and lock it. You don’t owe the person an explanation.
• Stand in front of your home to see what is visible from the street. If you can see your valuable items through the front windows, so can potential burglars.
• Residents can put a “no solicitors” sign on their door to help keep solicitors away.
• If you observe criminal or suspicious activity, call non-emergency dispatch at 785-WCSO (9276)

Attached photos: sample work permit card (good for 5 years), sample temporary work permit (valid for 90 days)

The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to preserving a safe and secure community with professionalism, respect, integrity and the highest commitment to equality. Sheriff Darin Balaam is the 27th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County since the Office was created in 1861. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office strives to ensure public safety by building trust and creating partnerships within the diverse communities in which we serve. We will promote the dignity of all people supported by our words and actions through open communication while fostering an environment of professionalism, integrity and mutual respect.

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