A Lawrence-based home security company said Thursday it had received calls from about a dozen clients who described scenarios that match a scam the Better Business Bureau recently warned about.

Shayne Kahle, operations manager for Rueschhoff in Lawrence, said several customers reported people coming to their doors. In some instances, the solicitors will misrepresent themselves as Rueschhoff employees, although they are with a different out-of-state company. The solicitors say they need to check the person’s home alarm system as a way to try to get inside to sell customers a new security system.

“They are sales people, but they are misleading our clients in some cases that they think they are associated with us,” Kahle said. “We wouldn’t go out and solicit our own clients. We typically will only go out on a service call if it’s requested.”

The Better Business Bureau of Kansas sent out an alert describing a similar scam in which salespeople will wear logos of well-known security companies and target a house because they see that company’s sign in the yard. Then they urge homeowners to participate in a new wireless program and possibly even threaten the owners, saying they could lose their existing alarm protection unless they switch.

“You should call your existing alarm company immediately while they are still at your door,” the BBB alert said. “They won’t mind waiting if they’re legitimate.”

Sgt. Trent McKinley, a Lawrence police spokesman, said officers in the last week fielded three calls in northwest Lawrence in which individuals asked a homeowner several questions about their home security system, including one where the owners had a ADT Security system. McKinley said in at least two of the reports, the solicitor was unable to provide a business card when asked. In all three instances, when officers made it to the area they were unable to locate the solicitors.

McKinley said any solicitor in the city must carry a permit obtained from City Hall that will be complete with individual photo identification. Police advise residents to verify with a utility or security company that they have sent someone to their address.

“These individuals want to come inside your home,” he said. “Letting anybody you’re not familiar with inside your house may not be a good idea.”

McKinley said it’s best to call police as soon as possible if they believe solicitors in their neighborhood are not legitimate or if they are unable to provide the proper license.

Kahle said two Rueschhoff customers initially agreed to switch to the new system with the door-to-door salesman, but they submitted cancellations later.