Security company signs outside of homes are supposed to promote safety, but one Osceola County family said the signs are attracting a different type of attention.

  • St. Cloud woman: Alder employees targeting ADT customers
  • ADT said it is suing Alder for deception, misleading tactics
  • Various complaints against Alder on Better Business Bureau website

Candy Perkin and her father both said security is everything.

"Security is very important," Perkin said. "Things are changing."

Perkin purchased ADT and bought a smart doorbell that records people at the doorstep of her home. However, she has recently gotten a knock on the door from a woman and a man.

Perkin believes the encounters are suspicious.

"She told me, 'I am with your security company. They sent me over here to talk to you,'" Perkin said. "And I am, like, 'What do you mean my security company?' She pointed down at the sign, and she's like, 'That security company.'"

The other man that knocked on Perkin's door didn't say he was with ADT, but he had an ADT sticker on his folder. In video recorded from the surveillance camera, you can hear the man saying: "Will you do me a favor and please Google (search) Protection 1 merger with ADT and why ADT is out of business? Thank you."

The people were wearing a uniform from a rival security company called Alder. ADT said it is suing Alder for deceptive and misleading business practices.

"These scammers are using ADT's brand name as a sales tactic, so sadly it's the world we live in today," said Blake Safford, a district manager with ADT. "But, we are doing whatever it takes to protect our customers and any potential customers out there."

Alder has comments on the Better Business Bureau website: "This company uses deceptive practices to solicit customers. This company told my aunt they were representing ADT."

ADT is advising its customers to always ask people knocking on their door for proper identification. ADT is working on a website so its customers can login and verify with a picture who is at their doorstep because of incidents like what happened to Perkin.

"I just want them to not show up to my door at any time," she said. "I mean, if there was a reason I wanted you there, you would be there."

Alder, in a statement to News 13, said: "A jury returned a verdict in favor of the company against ADT's allegations that the company infringed on their trademark. ... This verdict validated our assertions that company representatives follow the Code of Conduct and do not misrepresent which company they are affiliated."

Another lawsuit against Alder with similar allegations is currently pending.