PBSO: NEVER LET ANY SERVICE WORKER IN YOUR HOUSE, ON PROPERTY IF YOU ARE NOT COMFORTABLE.
AT&T Corporate Confirms Practice In Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach. Sales Rep Poses As Assistant, Has Nothing To Do With Technician.
BY: ANDREW COLTON | Editor and Publisher
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2022 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — If you are scheduled to have AT&T’s high-speed fiber internet installed or upgraded at your home in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, or Boynton Beach, beware: AT&T is sending sales reps who pose as “Technician Assistants.” The sales reps — arriving in personal vehicles — lie to security at gated communities by claiming to work with the technician. They often arrive within a few minutes of the uniformed technician’s arrival.
BocaNewsNow.com watched as a portly, poorly dressed “assistant” arrived 20 minutes after a uniformed tech during a fiber upgrade call in South Palm Beach County. The “assistant” — with what appeared to be a homemade AT&T identification card around his neck — proceeded to say that he was there to make sure AT&T’s “Home App” was installed on a customer’s phone. Suspicious, the customer asked probing questions as to why the man was standing in his garage, uninvited. The man suddenly said, “whatever,” got in his personal car displaying a small AT&T removable decal, and drove off.
AT&T technical professionals later told the customer that the company is sending “wireless sales workers” to piggyback on technical calls. The salespeople say that they want to help you install the “Home App,” — an app used to control AT&T home internet — but use it as a ruse to see your personal mobile phone. Upon confirming that you are NOT an AT&T wireless subscriber, they’ll then attempt to upsell you to AT&T services.
“Our field service representatives help improve the customer experience by serving as expert resources for questions that arise during the installation and setup process,” wrote AT&T Spokesperson Jim Kimberly when asked by BocaNewsNow.com about the practice. “In many instances, they can suggest complementary products or services that will enhance the customer experience and many of our customers appreciate the assistance.”
Kimberly confirmed that the practice is occurring nationwide, not just in South Palm Beach County.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office routinely reminds residents to never let a worker into their home or onto their property if the homeowner or resident isn’t completely confident that the worker is who he or she claims to be. An uninvited sales representative is technically trespassing if he or she enters your home, or steps onto your property, uninvited. The non-emergency number for PBSO is 561-688-3400. If you fear that you are in danger, immediately call 911.
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