I usually reach home around 5:30 in the evening. But today, I got off work a bit early and walked in at 5:00.
As I was coming up the front path, I saw a man in a blue vest banging loudly on my front door. Not knocking — pounding, like he was trying to break in. My 10-year-old son was home alone and absolutely terrified.
The moment the man saw me, everything about him changed. His aggressive expression disappeared. With a fake smile, he said, “Just selling solar panels, sir!” Then, without waiting for a response, he rushed back to his truck and drove off.
This Wasn’t a Sales Visit — It Was Something Worse
Let’s be real. Solar panel salespeople don’t bang on doors like that. And they definitely don’t run away when the homeowner shows up. Something about the whole situation felt very wrong.
As the shock wore off, a horrible thought hit me — what if I had been just 10 minutes later? Would he have forced his way inside? My son was alone and scared. The whole scene made me feel sick.
Sharing the Warning on LocalAll
I didn’t want to keep this to myself, so I shared the man’s description on LocalAll to warn others in the area.
Within minutes, a neighbour replied. She had Ring doorbell footage of the exact same man — same vest, same look — trying to open her back door while she was in the shower. He wasn’t knocking or selling anything. He was testing to see if it was unlocked.
He’s Not Selling Solar. He’s Looking for Opportunities
It’s now clear this man isn’t a salesman at all. He’s pretending to be one, using it as a cover while he checks homes for weak spots — unlocked doors, empty driveways, or kids home alone.
Thanks to the quick response on LocalAll, more neighbours are coming forward, sharing similar experiences. The community is staying alert, and we’ve already reported the man to local authorities.
Stay Alert and Look Out for Each Other
This was a scary reminder that even in familiar neighbourhoods, we need to stay aware and look out for each other. If someone suspicious shows up at your door — especially pretending to be something they’re not — trust your gut, and don’t hesitate to report it.
And if you have a camera or smart doorbell, check the footage. You never know when something small might help protect someone else.
