BOX ELDER COUNTY, Utah — A man who went door-to-door in Box Elder County and told alarm owners he was there to update their system is accused of defrauding nearly 30 people, and police believe there may be more victims out there.
According to the Brigham City Police Department, Joelseph Jenkins was going door-to-door in Box Elder County to homes with alarm systems installed, where he would tell residents he was from their existing alarm company and was there to perform work.
Most victims said Jenkins told them “they detected a problem with the alarm system” and Jenkins needed to replace a chip in the panel. Jenkins at that time offered to negotiate a better rate or told the customer they had been getting overcharged. He would then have them sign what he said was a contract or a work order agreement.
Many of those victims later discovered Jenkins in fact worked for a completely different alarm system company and had tricked them into signing new contracts, leaving the victims with bills from both Jenkins’ company and their existing alarm company.
Police said many of the victims are elderly folks living in Brigham City, Tremonton and other parts of Box Elder County. Police encouraged residents in those areas to check with their elderly families and friends to see if they were victimized by the man, as there may be additional cases of fraud that occurred.
Anyone who believes they were scammed by Jenkins or anyone else using a similar ploy should contact their local law enforcement agency.
