Newport Police Warn of Door-to-Door Magazine Sales

Newport Police are asking local residents to contact the department if anyone suspicious shows up at your door trying to sell magazine subscriptions.

Lt. William Fitzgerald told Patch that police received several reports on Saturday afternoon of young people going door-to-door trying to sell subscriptions. One resident said that an 18- to 20-year-old man arrived at her home, stating that he was saving up for college. Several residents did purchase the subscriptions, only to call the police department afterward to report that they worried it was a scam.

Salespeople are required to obtain a permit from the city clerk's office before going door-to-door. Fitzgerald said that from what police know, the individuals who went around on Saturday did not have permits, which by law they would be required to have on hand to show to residents when approaching them.

"They should have it on their person," Fitzgerald said. "If they don't have it, or there's any questions whatsoever of whether these people are legitimate, call us up."