Beware Of Shady Solicitors In Loudoun County: Police

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA—Authorities are urging residents to take a closer look at that person who shows up on your doorstep peddling or offering this or that. That's because an increase in door-to-door solicitors is inevitable in the area this time of year, and the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office says to beware of nefarious characters.

Here's quick rundown of what you should look for when a solicitor comes calling, per the LCSO:

All solicitors who operate inside the county are required to register with the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office in accordance with County Ordinance 828.04, except any person who is soliciting funds that are to be used solely for non-profit charitable, religious or community services purposes.

As part of this registration, a Virginia criminal background check is completed and information on the solicitor’s employer is obtained. Through this process, anyone approved to solicit is issued an identification card showing he/she is a registered solicitor. All solicitors are required, upon request, to provide their identification card to any person they are contacting as a solicitor.

This identification card contains the following information:

• A photo, name and a personal description of the registrant
• A brief description of the nature of the business
• Issue Date
• Expiration Date
• Employer Information (Address)

In addition to registering, all solicitors must uphold standards of conduct (County Ordinance 828.08). If a solicitor is found in violation of this section, his/her privileges will be revoked and that individual will not be authorized to solicit within Loudoun County for a period of one year.

Solicitation hours in the county are weekdays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Soliciting is not permitted on Sunday’s or state or national holidays. Solicitors must leave when asked by the property owner. Solicitors must conduct themselves in a lawful and orderly manner and must identify themselves and their purpose of being on the property.

The Loudoun County Peddlers and Solicitor Ordinance can be viewed here. For any rules that may apply to solicitors within an incorporated town, please check those local ordinances.

Any person who witnesses a violation of the standards of conduct or encounters a solicitor who refuses to provide a county issued solicitor permit, or does not have a permit should contact the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office by calling the 24-hour non-emergency number at 703-777-1021.

Image via LCSO