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GoogleStatement of Missouri Farm Bureau Chief Financial Officer Randy Campbell regarding recent article in
Marshall Democrat-News:"It has come to our attention from an article which appeared in the Marshall Democrat-News that a young man has approached residents of Marshall identifying himself as a city worker and asking residents if they ever heard of Farm Bureau insurance and a magazine we publish. We want to make clear this person is in no way affiliated with Farm Bureau and does not represent the companies of Farm Bureau in any manner."
A few alert citizens brought a suspicious-sounding activity to the attention of Marshall police Tuesday, June 30, though the activity was determined to be lawful.
At about 11 a.m., a young man came to the door of a family's residence in Marshall, and when they answered, he identified himself as a city worker for Marshall and asked them if they had heard of Farm Bureau, an insurance provider that also publishes a magazine, said Assistant Police Chief David Roscher. He then went on to say that he was doing a survey and needed to talk to everybody in town, Roscher said.
When the household's patriarch showed disinterest in answering the young man's questions, the young man told residents he would be back later, Roscher said.
The couple that resides in the home had a daughter present who has previously been a victim of identity theft, said Roscher. This daughter told her parents that this was suspicious activity and advised them to call the city offices.
When they did so, they were told that no city workers were doing survey work in Marshall at this time.
The residents then contacted Marshall Police Department. Officer Luis Perez went to the scene and spoke with the residents about the young man.
At about 11:30 a.m., the young man returned, and residents again called MPD, and Perez went again to the home, where he made contact with the 23-year-old male, who said he was selling insurance for a company based in Indiana with a branch in Sedalia.
As part of a Missouri state statute, any out-of-town insurance salesman does not need a business license, said an unnamed city official. Because of this, Perez advised the young man that he not claim an affiliation with the City of Marshall in the future.
Contact Geoff Rands at marshallreporter@socket.net
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There was also a young man (around that same age)this weekend going door to door and asking if people had kids in the public school system and wanted to sell books. He wanted to come in the house, I said no. Then he wanted names of friends and neighbors who had kids. Red Flags!!!
Im just a little old school. What does FFS mean?
I am wanting to know who the man was that was faking being a city worker? Does he have a criminal record? Why isn't there a picture of him? I feel the PEOPLE of Marshall needs to know who this person is... Just a few weeks ago,, I heard about a Kirby Salesmen at a door,, selling vacuums with no Kirby and no car... The lady was smart enough to ASK question him about no car/kirby and sent him on his way... The lady was a frighten. How do we know, how safe we are in our homes.. We need to know who this person faking to be a city worker is,, for our protection.
All though I feel sorry for the young man trying to make a living doing door-to-door cold calling, the residents were right in calling the police. The story does not say and probably the police report doesn't either but the young man should have had a wallet card showing his Mo. issued state insurance license. I carry mine at all times and have had to show it both to police and potential clients and these were preset appointments, not cold calls.
It is a new trend for insurance agents to do surveys. These should be fairly general and ask broad ranging questions. Our surveys are used to try and determine what the potential might be for helping someone. In this economy, many poeple have not paid attention to insurance coverages and are unkowningly have bad coverage in place.
To Selmac8, you are right, I hated my job, now I love my career. Helping someone save $50 to $100 a month by changing one policy is a huge thrill. You are not just changing a policy, you are changing lives.
better to call the cops then wait til he comes back and KILLS YOU!
As a former Marshall resident, now living in Los Angeles for many years, I'd say those Marshall residents were wise to do as they did. If that young man had come to my door, I'd have looked out, seen it was someone I didn't know and not even answered the door. Yes, he'd have heard my footsteps approach and recede from the door, but I could care less. That, you see, is part of the "get lost" message for uninvited, unwelcome, door-to-door hucksters. Most of you have heard of armed home invasion criminals. They're always looking for an "easy mark" so why make yourselves an easy target. Just because these type of criminals haven't hit you yet, doesn't mean you're not on their itinerary. And if you think that's being paranoid, just remember that being paranoid doesn't mean someone is not out to get you. Never open your door to a stranger.
AWESOME, Some poor guy out doing a job which you know he hates "Due to all the doors slamed in his face" In the heat talking to people trying to make money for his family and you jerks called the cops? GET A LIFE people crooks don't operate like that. Just another fine example of people in this town thinking there better then others and messen with the WORKING CLASS!!! FFS people GET A LIFE!