Door-To-Door Pest Control Salespeople May Be Scammers, AG Warns

ST. PAUL, MN — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is warning Minnesotans about how to spot and avoid door-to-door pest-control scams.

"Just as predictably as the warm weather, summer also brings door-to-door scammers. Some scammers are out there trying to pressure you into buying pest-control services that they won’t actually deliver or will include hidden fees or long-term contracts you didn’t know you agreed to," Ellison said in a statement.

"Remember: you never have to fall for high-pressure tactics, so the second a sales pitch is making you uncomfortable, trust your gut, shut it down, and ask the scammers to leave."

How the Scam Works

Pest control scammers often show up uninvited, offering what sounds like a great deal. But the services may never happen, or they come with surprise fees and contracts that auto-renew without your consent. These scams are especially common in summer and often rely on high-pressure sales tactics.

Red Flags To Watch For:

• Urging you to make an immediate decision
• “Special deals” for your neighborhood
• Hidden fees and cancellation charges
• Automatic renewals you didn’t agree to

How To Protect Yourself

• Pause Before You Say Yes: If you didn’t seek out the service, don’t rush into anything. Scammers count on you deciding quickly.
• Avoid Pressure: Legitimate companies let you compare and take your time.
• Read the Fine Print: Watch for hidden fees, recurring charges, and automatic renewals in contracts.
• Check Local Rules: In many Minnesota towns, door-to-door sellers must register. If they aren’t, don’t do business.
• Do Your Homework: Look up pest control companies online, ask friends, and check the Better Business Bureau.
• Know Your Rights: Minnesota law gives you three business days to cancel a door-to-door contract. Sellers must provide written notice of this.

"And also remember: scammers are very good at what they do and they get better at doing it every single day," added Ellison.

"If a scam happens to you, don’t stay silent out of embarrassment, because that’s what they want you to do. Instead, get even by reporting them to my office. We may be able to help you or take them down, and we can surely help someone else by alerting them to the scam."

If a door-to-door pest control scam happens to you, you should:

• Keep copies of all communications with the scammer.
• File a complaint with the Office of Attorney General Keith Ellison online.
  • You can also contact the office on the phone at (651) 296-3353 for Twin Cities residents and (800) 657-3787 for people in Greater Minnesota.