Any person who solicits door-to-door sales at a home in Delaware is now required to display a Salesperson Identification Card.
According to a new law, ID cards must be worn on a lanyard at all times when doing door-to-door sales in Delaware. In addition, door-to-door sales in Delaware can only take place between the hours of 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.
The law came as concerns grew that a few door-to-door salespeople were “casing out” residences as burglary or home invasion targets. Door-to-door sales have increased in recent years, due to restrictions on telemarketing calls.
Delaware residents are asked to call their local police department if they see anyone in their neighborhoods conducting door-to-door sales without wearing the ID card, or if they are visited by someone who isn’t displaying the card.
The names of all Salesperson ID card holders are available on the Division of Revenue website at www.revenue.delaware.gov. These names will be updated throughout the year. In addition, the names of all current State of Delaware business licensees are also found on this site.
The state Department of Revenue points out that having the ID does not mean the State of Delaware has approved its holder for door-to-door sales. Instead, the card states that its holder is a verified employee of the licensed State of Delaware business listed on the ID Card.
Failure by a business to comply could result in criminal prosecution, as well as fines of up to $150 for the first offense and $250 for later offenses.
Anyone wearing a forged ID Card that has not been issued by the State of Delaware, or falsely obtained for deceitful or malicious intent, also faces criminal prosecution and fines of up to $150 for the first offense and $250 for each subsequent offense.
A door-to-door Salesperson Identification Card does not apply to persons working on behalf of a non-profit, conducting home sales events, public utility and cable television system operators, as well as persons soliciting sales via telephone, mail, email, internet or through door drop.
