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Residents warn council about aggressive fiber solicitors and phone-scams in Rural Retreat
Summary
Multiple residents told the council that out-of-state door-to-door broadband solicitors are pressuring households to switch to fiber and that phone-scam numbers are circulating; the town advised caution and encouraged residents to report incidents to town staff.
Several residents told the Rural Retreat Town Council they have been contacted by aggressive, out-of-state door-to-door fiber salespeople and that some residents lost telephone service after switching. The council was also given phone numbers used by suspected scammers and urged residents to be cautious.
Why it matters: Door-to-door solicitation and phone scams can lead to fraud and service interruptions that affect households, particularly those with landlines or older telephony equipment.
One resident (Speaker 4) described posting a public-service message on social media warning that some vendors pressure homeowners to convert to fiber immediately, sometimes leaving households without functioning home telephone jacks. “If you put fiber in your old telephone, it's not going to work anymore,” the resident said, warning that conversions require careful planning.
Council members said the town has limited legal authority to stop out-of-state solicitors but encouraged residents to notify town staff when suspicious solicitors appear. Speaker 6 said some solicitors were dressed plainly and driving unmarked vehicles; he encouraged residents to report those visits so staff can warn others. Residents provided a phone number they believed was used by scammers: (980) 470-4699. Speaker 8 cautioned residents not to answer calls from that number.
Speakers also discussed incumbent providers and brand names; one resident noted Right Speed (identified in discussion as CenturyLink/Brightspeed by participants) was an aggressive incumbent. Council members recommended residents ask questions, verify vendor credentials, and call the town office when suspicious activity occurs.
What’s next: Council asked staff to publicize the scam warnings and remind residents that multiple internet providers serve the area; staff said they will encourage residents to report suspect solicitors to the town so officials can monitor and warn neighbors.
