Some Calhoun residents may be victims of a security scam: officials with a local security company say their clients may have been targeted.

“In the last few months, APX Alarms Security Solutions, Inc. has attempted to enter negotiations with three of our clients that we know of,” said Claudette Spenser, office manager for Georgia-based Owens Security Solutions. “They are traveling door-to-door … and sometimes use scare tactics to sell their services.”

One elderly Calhoun resident was lied to by an APX agent regarding his safety, said Spenser. “The APX sales rep. told him that since his alarm system operated was non-cellular, that he [the APX rep.] could disarm it easily. That information just isn’t true for most non-cellular security systems provided by most national security companies,” she said.

Those who sign with APX could end up stuck in a long contract, said Spenser.

“The contract that they’re offering is a 60-month agreement,” she said, “which is much longer than the industry average of 36 months.”

Stuart Dean, director of corporate communications for APX Alarms, stated that APX’s company policy is not to use scare tactics or “scam” residents, but to address the state of non-cellular security.

“We have a cellular system, and we’re very proud of that,” said Dean. “We don’t condone ‘scare tactics’ from our sales representatives … and would deal rigorously with individual sales reps who were reported to us.”

Yet the Utah-based company has received cease and desist orders, notices of violation, and various state charges in Maryland, Louisiana, Washington state, California and Oregon as recently as April of this year, according to the Better Business Bureau.

In addition to these allegations, the Better Business Bureau also processed a total of 1635 complaints about APX in the last 36 months.

Some of the complaints leveled at APX include misrepresentation in advertising, invalid contract or alleged failure to honor contract, questionable collection practices, and misrepresentation of products or services in sales presentations.

APX sales representatives are allegedly offering “free” alarm systems to Calhoun residents. According to a warning on the Better Business Bureau website, potential buyers should be advised that while the equipment and installation may be free (be sure this is in writing, states BBB), there may be a monthly monitoring fee.

When comparing costs, consumers should be sure to compare all expenses, according to the Better Business Bureau site.

Spenser said she would like to warn all Calhoun consumers not to eschew their current security system for APX Alarms.

“What this is about is informing the community of a scam,” said Spenser. “Even if clients don’t choose Owens Security, there are many reputable security companies that clients can feel safe with that aren’t APX Alarms.”

More industry tips for buying alarm systems can be found at the Better Business Bureau’s website, www.bbb.org.