Pacific Grove Police Department advises residents to be aware that it is a Municipal Code Violation to conduct door-to-door sales without a proper City of Pacific Grove Solicitor and Peddler license, and encourages residents to request to see proper identification and license before conducting business with a solicitor.

On July 8, 2013, two white male adults between the ages of 18 and 20 were going door to door selling magazines in the apartment complex located at Pacific Grove Lane. The solicitors stated they were selling magazine subscriptions to support the Wounded Warrior Project and their softball team. The victim was told part of the proceeds would be used for the magazine subscription which would be sent to soldiers in Afghanistan and the remaining amount would be given to “Washington Park Softball Team.”

The victim stated that the solicitors were very well-prepared and seemed to have the necessary document for conducting business, including official-looking permits and magazine catalogs.

The victim wrote a personal check made payable to “MSA” for $34 and gave it to the solicitors. However, when he checked his bank account in the following days, he found the check had been “washed” and the amount had been changed to $212. the check was stamped on the back with the name “Sharon D. Crabtree dba Monument Subscription Agency (MSA) as an apparent organization in Livingston, TX. That organization is listed as having received many complaints on the Better Business Bureau website and on Scambook.com for similar fraudulent activity. All attempts to contact the company were unsuccessful.

If you have any information about this incident or to report a suspicious person or unlicensed door-to-door solicitor, please call the Pacific Grove Police Department at 831-648-3143.