Door-to-door home alarm salesman accused of fraud
BRIGHAM CITY, UT — (KUTV) Back in August, Margie and Leon Jensen say a man knocked on their door claiming something was wrong with their home alarm system. Once inside, the man said he could lower the cost of their system. The couple quickly agreed but, rather than seeing their cost go down, they saw it skyrocket.
‘We're getting charged from both companies,” Margie said.
The Jensen’s still gets bills from their existing alarm company, Nationwide Security, but now are also getting bills from a new alarm company, Safe Home Security. Their single Brigham City home now has two alarms.
"I ought to be smarter than this to let this happen, but he looked like a nice guy," Margie said.
Now, that nice-looking guy is behind bars. Joelseph Jenkins faces multiple counts of theft by deception and communications fraud.
Police say the Jensens are just the tip of the iceberg. Jenkins allegedly duped more than 30 victims into alarm contracts, a list police expect could grow after others read this story.
State records show Jenkins did file papers with the state this past August to form a company called Covenant Protection Management. But the state also requires a special license to sell alarm systems and Jenkins' expired in 2013.
“I think he's a scumbag who just preyed on people," Margie said. “I hope he doesn't get out of jail. I hope they prosecute him as far as they can."
Margie’s ongoing frustration despite Jenkin’s being locked up stems from the ongoing battle in which she now finds herself with Safe Home Security. Despite the fraud allegations, Margie says Safe Home Security is refusing to let them cancel the contract she was sold by Jenkins.
Get Gephardt reached out to Safe Home Security for comment but did not hear back at the time of broadcast/publication.
If you were sold an alarm system by Jenkins, the Brigham City police department says they want to hear from you.
