The Kent Fire Department Regional Fire Authority has received several calls over the last week in the Panther Lake area concerning door-to-door salespeople that are offering residential duct/vent cleaning as well as “other services.”

According to residents, these salespeople are either claiming association or implying that they are part of, or are soliciting on behalf of, the Kent Fire Department RFA.

This is absolutely not true, fire department officials said on Thursday in a media release. In at least two cases, the residents said the sales person had on a dark blue shirt with a badge or logo that said “KFD.” In another, the person said they claimed to be a volunteer firefighter.

The Kent Fire Department RFA does not solicit anything door to door. Its funding comes through the methods established when the Regional Fire Authority was formed, not through “sales.” In addition, any department personnel that knock on a door will be in a uniform and have department identification with them.

At this time it is not known if the people going door to door are part of a legitimate company possibly misrepresenting themselves, or a scam to get into the homes of residents for theft. Fire officials are working with the Kent Police Department to get more information.

Up to this point the sales tactics have been reported in the Panther Lake areas between Southeast 192nd Street and Southeast 208th Street, but residents should be wary regardless of where they live.

Fire officials recommend taking these precautions when someone comes to your door:

• Never let strangers in unless you called them for a service and have proven their identity

• Any door-to-door sales are required to carry ID identifying themselves and their organization

• Any suspicious activity or persons should be reported to the police by calling 911

Warn your neighbors of possible scams – especially the elderly who are more likely to believe a scam.

Call the Kent Fire Department RFA at 206-450-8400 with any concerns about a suspicious contact.