BALLYMEADE

Info re: door-to-door salespeople - must have an ID - it's the law!!

Dear Civic Leaders,  Here is important news to remind you to be safe during the holidays.

 As of June 15, 2012, a new state law requires door-to-door salespeople in the State of Delaware to display a Salesperson Identification Card or be subject to criminal prosecution. A list of all Salesperson ID Card holders will be published online at the Division of Revenue website at www.revenue.delaware.gov.

 Director of Revenue Patrick Carter announced today that any person who solicits door-to door sales to a residential home in the State of Delaware is now required to display a Salesperson Identification Card (ID card).

Pursuant to House Bill 49 of Delaware’s 146th General Assembly, Salesperson ID Cards must be worn at all times when conducting door-to-door sales in Delaware. In addition, door-to-door sales in Delaware may only occur between the hours of 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. EST. 

A picture of the Salesperson ID Card and required license holder is shown below. Delaware residents are encouraged to call their local police departments if they see anyone in their neighborhoods conducting door-to-door sales without wearing the registered Salesperson ID Card, or if they are visited by someone who isn’t wearing a registered Salesperson ID Card. 

To further verify that a Salesperson ID Card is not a forgery, 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.  As always, residents are encouraged to take all necessary precautions when opening the door to unfamiliar solicitations. Having a Salesperson ID Card does not mean the State of Delaware has approved its holder for door-to-door sales. Instead, the Salesperson ID 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 with House Bill 49 by conducting door-to-door sales without wearing the registered Salesperson ID Card could result in criminal prosecution, as well as fines of up to $150 for the first offense and $250 for each subsequent offense. 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, and internet or through door drop. 

Councilman Robert S. Weiner
New Castle County Council
302-395-8362