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Home monitoring services go by a number of different names, such as home protection services, burglar alarm monitoring services, but they all do pretty much the same thing. They’ll install an alarm system on your home, monitor it, and call the police if somebody breaks into your home or if your home starts on fire. These services all perform the same function, but that does not mean they are all the same. Some of these companies more interested in taking your money than providing you a valuable service at a reasonable cost.

Some of the disingenuous home monitoring companies will go door to door in neighborhoods, showing them the break-ins, burglar alarm calls, and other 911 calls in their neighborhood. They salesperson will then let the homeowner’s imagination run wild and try to make the homeowner feel unsafe in their own neighborhood. They smooth talking sales person will then offer a monthly contract anywhere from $25 to $40 a month offering a home monitoring service that will keep them safe.

It’s an effective sales technique, but it’s a rip-off none the less. Chances are the customer is paying far too much for the service, because salespersons are taught to ask for whatever they think they can get, and pocket the different. It’s also very likely that the individual’s services will be automatically renewed at the end of the contract term without them being informed.

When shopping for a home protection or home monitoring service, follow these tips to avoid getting swindled:

Don’t be in a big rush to sign up for a service. Take your time to do the research and shop around to make sure that you’re getting the best deal.

Don’t ever sign a contract. These companies should have to earn your business, not just be able to take your money because you had to sign a piece of paper saying that you’d stay with them for two years. If a company requires contracts, don’t even let their salesperson into your home to present what they have to offer.

Don’t get stuck paying too much. You should never pay more than $20 a month for a monitoring service. If a company is trying to charge you more than that, don’t do business with them. Instead keep searching and find another company that will offer you a competitive pr ice.

Make sure it’s a quality service. The company that you’re dealing with should be approved by Underwriters Laboratories (UL). What’s in place to make sure the staff at the monitoring station is properly trained and have the resources they need?

Don’t let yourself get ripped off when buying home protection services. There are good honest companies out there, but there are a lot of shady ones too, so be very careful who you do business with.