Waukee Police Warn of Free Alarm System Scam

The has issued an advisory regarding callers offering free alarm systems to residents if they put a sign in their yard advertising their business. The offer, police say, is a scam.

According to the advisory, burglars broke into a residence in the Des Moines metro area and stole thousands of dollars in electronics and jewelry this week. Entry was gained through the front door of a home. It's unknown whether the homeowner was a victim of the scam.

If you get a phone call offering a free alarm system in your home in exchange for posting a sign for the business, police suggest responding with, "No, thanks. I already have an alarm system," not, "I'm not interested," because this could suggest to the caller that your property is unprotected.

"If residents receive an anonymous call from someone offering to put an alarm system in their house, let us know. We can surely check that out," said Waukee Police Lt. Greg Breuer. "In general, alarm companies won’t do cold calls like that."

If you should receive one of these calls, or have seen any suspicious activity, you're asked to report it to the Waukee Police Department by calling (515) 987-1073.