Texas Settles With Alarm Company Sales Tactics

I've stated in a previous post that all residents should be wary of any stranger that comes to the door, especially anyone trying to sell a product or service without the proper regulating authority's credentials properly presented and clearly visible.

It gives me no pleasure in bringing to your attention a case against one of my competitors recently settled in Texas. In fact, it's rather embarrassing to note that there are "bad actors" among those of us in a relatively respected and sensitive industry. That being one that puts the protection of your home and life in high regard and sensitivity. This is an article recently published on the Texas Attorney General's website.

It is my hope, and those of many of my colleagues that a lesson is learned by these folks and that fair business practices carry from this moment forward.

Drill Down to Minimize Surprises

Remember fire drills in school? For a lot of us, it was pretty exciting to break the monotony in class. But we just couldn't run outside when we heard the special bell ring. There was order. A single file method and a calm way to move out of the building into designated safe areas. The purpose of the drill was to make sure all systems were go. That we knew what to do, how to do it, how long it would take, what unlocked door to exit, recognizing orders from our drill captains....making sure the bell worked. In case of an actual emergency there should be no surprises. It's a reassuring to know that you have it all under control isn't it?

　

I try to educate my alarm customers to construct a response system of their own, so that when an actual alarm event should arise, that they know exactly what to do.

　

First question I have, do you know your password? It's natural that most alarm calls to the monitoring stations are false. That will always be the case. We are all human and prone to mistakes. However, what exacerbates to a problem is whenever the monitoring operator cannot cancel the false alarm because the person on the other end doesn't know their password to properly be identified an authorized user. That gets awkward, when the only thing left to do is to dispatch the police afterwards. Know your password. I encourage you to have one that you can recall even after you cut a finger off. (Curse words and racial slurs are not recommended.)

　

Run a test, not only on a system, but with your family or others who have access. That way you're all on the same page. You can co-ordinate this with your monitoring company. I'll let you in on a secret. It's ok to prepare a test false alarm, just to get familiar with how everything works. In other words set the alarm, then open a door but don't deactivate the alarm. Let it run all the way to the siren and let it blow for about 30 seconds. It's important to be prepared for this. So don't forget your password, because the alarm company will be on the phone shortly and you will need to cancel the alarm when they ask you for it. The purpose of this drill is to make sure you know you will have a call back. If you have a standard alarm system installed you should expect to hear your phone ringing within 2-3 minutes. Any longer, or not at all and you may have a problem to work out with the company. Newer smart-automation systems should take less than a minute for response. After the cancellation, you can let them know that you were running a test. You won't get in trouble. You are the customer and you've paid for that call.

　

However your method, it's imperative to be prepared and on your game. The very times of life and death circumstances are not ideal to educate yourself on what to do next.

　

http://bit.ly/1eORnlB

　

#RIP2016 #HappyNewYear2017 #Texas

Holiday Security Vlog

It's the Christmas shopping season. Here's some important suggestions for keeping your holiday doorstep drop-offs secure this holiday season! Click to watch the video.

Remember this is an interactive site. Whatever you contribute in comments will be greatly appreciated!

What Are You Willing To Give?

Thomas Edison said, “I have not failed. I’ve found 10,000 ways that didn’t work.”

When you’re part of any experience for a generation, you should be able to call yourself not just an ‘expert’ but a ‘solution finder’. I find myself daily in that position not by designing the right security system, but by overcoming the objections of potential clients that use the logic of the need to spend $30, $40, $50 or more per month for preparedness.

I know financial planners that have said that more people plan every year on a week’s vacation than they do their own financial futures. The same can be said for a lot of folks that I talk to that cannot make a decision on the first step to adding a layer of security awareness to their homes. Here are some of the objections that are fired at me, and what I will answer back (either verbally or in my head).

I’m not making a decision today.                                                                                                        

Yes you are, you just made a decision not to make a decision.

(There’s multiple reactions to this one.) I have a gun.                                                                      

Tell me how that works without you being here to pull the trigger?                                             

Forget everything else in the house. There’s a gun to steal here!

(And this one.) I have a dog.                                                                                                                  

A dog that can be shot. Probably by the gun stolen at your neighbor’s house.                                

How much does that cost you a month?

(As well as.) I’m not signing a 3 year contract.                                                                                 

Did you tell your mortgage company that you weren’t signing a 30 year mortgage?                       

How about that 3 or 5 year car note?

I live in a safe neighborhood, so I don’t feel threatened.                                                                    

So then there’s no reason to lock your doors?

I have nothing to steal.                                                                                                                        

Not every break in is by a thief.

Logic dictates what seems rational at the moment. Most objections have a root that leads directly to one certain factor. Money, or the lack thereof. Believe me, I can relate. So if that’s a concern, please be as honest with me as I’m trying to be with you and we’ll come together with a solution. Money can be found in a lot of ways. Especially when you’re talking about monitoring rates that cost $1-$2 a day. The last I checked, at today’s prices that’s a gallon of gasoline. Or roughly a half-cup of espresso. And I always have a promotion (click here) to help you out.

The solution here is finding the rationale of placing priorities in their rightful places. On more than one occasion I’ve literally sat in empty homes of new homeowners. No furniture, and no food in the fridge but with the cable tv installer working on the fourth outlet. Our GoHawk Smart-Automation packages work on the guarantee that you, at any given moment, have access to it with the smartphone in your hand now, instead of the rare occasion that your gun is. We have panic alert overrides, we can react to fire and flood. Not just break-ins.  And of course, there’s video. And who wouldn’t want to check in for a peak every now and then or have a video record of a criminal event or liability action?

We all have objections, especially to certain changes to the norm. But sincerely I ask. What are you willing to give up today to buy minutes that could save your family’s life?

We Would Like To Help Some Important Neighbors

We thought about this for quite awhile. School bells are ringing and many educators are back in full swing. First responders are always on-call and we just couldn't thank you enough for all you do. It may seem hard for so believe, but you do lead normal All-American lives and have families to provide for and love on. So to help protect the homes you leave behind daily, it just seemed right to rollout this latest Hawk Home Protection Promotion!

Hawk Protects Our Military

Here's a one-of-a-kind promotion! We would like to extend our thanks and protection to the homes of our active military, veterans and first responders who protect ours!

Holiday Pet Safety

It's simple to overlook, but our pets can be in a world of hurt for a myriad of reasons this season. This is a very interesting set of tips I found in my email this morning. Thanks Lisa H.!

 

Check out the Hawk Security Holiday Special!

Convicted Burglar Tells All

I was glued to this series of videos that has recently been posted by the Allen, TX Police Department. This is a convicted career home burglar that has revealed so much of what he looks for while "casing" neighborhoods and homes. In particular revealing what may not be so obvious to most people, no matter what extra steps they have taken to secure their homes. One thing for certain that has stood out is how obsolete alarm systems that are connected to landlines are. I've been in this business for a long time and I'm feeling very good that I have already taken that measure in my security alarm sales to not even apply the old dial up option. You'll see what I mean when you check this out.  https://youtu.be/TeiIi8EHEAo?list=PLFXqLhtIWygmP7tL3bl3073WuYPHu1xOD

Hawk Ambassador Referral Program

Want to earn money as well as helping us protect homes and businesses in the North Texas area? Become a Hawk Ambassador. You will earn $100 for every home or business referral that you send that signs up to Hawk Security Services monitoring, video surveillance or Smart Automation! The new client that you refer will receive 3 free months of monitoring with any service package that they sign up with! It's a win-win-win!

Simply click this link and register. For any future referrals that you have, you and your referral will be uniquely linked, so that you will see the benefits right away.

Home Security referrals must be qualified homeowners with approved credit that signs a Hawk security agreement. Business accounts must be at qualified business location, with approved credit that signs a Hawk agreement.

Join in on the fun! Best thing about it is, there's no limit how much you earn, so good luck! 

Grinch Alert! Using Doorstep Package Common Sense

They don't fit your usual description of home burglars, yet there are many Grinches with a lot of time on their hands this holiday season.

http://www.fox4news.com/news/55872521-story

Be it a common theft or something spawned from a dare, the bottom line is there is a threat that the gift you ordered online won't make it under the tree this year. But there are steps that you can take to minimize the potential of arriving to an un-merry Christmas.

If you are ordering online, and don't expect to be home when your package arrives, you can of course designate a neighbor to accept your package. However, your neighbors have a life of their own and it may be asking too much to have them to be responsible to tie down at an undetermined time. (Ever waited for a delivery yourself?) Especially as we get deeper into the hectic season. Instead, consider having your order dropped off at a nearby UPS or FedEx store or USPS station. Many of these locations will hold your package for you to pick up for up to 5 days free of charge. (check them for details.) As well, you can track your delivery status and be notified when your package arrives via email or an app notification.

A GoHawk Smart Automation system with a Hawkeye Interactive camera focused on your doorstep is a proactive way of determining if you have anyone lurking past your trespassing line. Contact me for more details. 

May you and all you hold dear have a joyous holiday season!

Become Tech Savvy, The Criminals Are

Interactive mobility is quite a convenience! I find it useful as a daily tool from GPS, messaging or reading emails on the fly. Virtually everyone has a smart device in their hand, and therefore lies a new problem in the hands of an unseemly individual with this technology.

Have you ever been to Google Maps to see your own home from a satellite view or the street view portal? Give it a shot, but this time look at it with eyes of someone that wants to break into your home.

I've captured some examples of a random typical median income North Texas neighborhood. See for yourself if the new "prowling" is like a shopping trip through an online website.

Here is a view of three homes. In your opinion what home would be your target for a break-in? Why? What way would you find is the easiest way to enter and how would you accomplish your crime without being detected?

Here is a view from the opposite end of the street. 

A view of homes across the street.

Now a satellite view of the same neighborhood with a view of front and back of all homes including adjacent homes on the next streets over. 

Have you found soft spots that can help you identify building a better security plan for you and your neighbors. Remember it's all about common sense, the best security system that you possess!

Contact me for Hawk's exclusive promotions!

Home Security Is Remotely Possible

Spring is in the air! A notable increase in outdoor activities abound as neighborhoods transition to the warmer weather, extra daylight, increased family time and the dream of weekend getaways, golf, softball and whatever else allows someone to break away from the cocoon of cabin fever.

Because of this; it is also the prime time to shift your home security strategy.

Statistically, home break-ins begin a resurgence as even the not-so-bold invaders collect a new dose of courage if they take advantage of these natural resources available to them. As I've posted earlier, your common sense is the best form of protection that you possess. And that's free. How you apply that at times that you are not present is how my industry's services work best for you.

The advantages of smart devices make it possible to access and stay in control and be alerted to changes of all aspects of your life from virtually anywhere, especially where your loved ones and prime investments are concerned. The GoHawk Security Remote Automation system is really the right fit for you for the extended periods of time that you may be away from home.

Did you remember to set the alarm when you left home? A notification to a "non-event" should a system be expected to be turned on or off at designated times can be sent to you. With Geo-Services, it's even possible for your system to sense a separation from it and your smartphone a few miles away. At that point, you can activate your system by logging in securely. Anyone with access to your alarm can be programmed in and tagged with a specific code that will alert you to whomever was there by name. If they don't have access, you can remotely unlock the door, turn off the alarm and even turn on the porch light for them.

Forget to reset the thermostat? With the GoGreen Energy Management System, keep up with real-time room temperature and extreme settings alerts. A tremendous cost saver in the midst of the pummeling Texas heat ahead.

I was amazed to find out recently that my neighborhood had experienced a power outtage for exactly 1 hour and 11 minutes. How did I know? My GoHawk app alerted me, even giving me a detail that under 5% of a mile radius around my home was down! No more mystery as to why my coffee maker clock was flashing when I got home!

Consider the value that a GoHawk Smarthome Management System can offer. It's how control, convenience and common sense work together.

Proaction Not Reaction To Fire

The news was sad to hear this morning of a needless tragedy involving a family and a house fire.

Read more:
http://www.myfoxdfw.com/story/24838001/man-dies-going-back-into-plano-house-fire-to-get-cell-phone#ixzz2uYgtrkQi

I will always stress that there are life saving features involving monitored security systems today that accelerates a life-saving call and shortens the gap of critical minutes between that call and the responders' arrival. (Read my earlier blog How Can I Save Your Life Today)

Whether you purchase a monitored smoke & fire system from me or not is not my concern. The objective is for you to get a fire escape plan in place before tragedy strikes. At least in this case, most of us agree that it would have been logical to pound on the neighbors' door, than have to be part of this breaking news.

God bless this family at this difficult time.

Bryan Thompson
Hawk Security Services


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Read more: http://www.myfoxdfw.com/story/24838001/man-dies-going-back-into-plano-house-fire-to-get-cell-phone#ixzz2uYgtrkQi

Smartphone, Smarthome...Very Smart!

My grandson wastes no time in commandeering my wife's smartphone to play his latest round of Angry Birds or Temple Run or whatever the latest craze is these days. My phone is not out of my hands or sight because I'm always conducting business. (Well, at least a majority of the time.)

The smartphone has created quite a lifestyle revolution in the past few years. As of 2013 there are 110 million smartphone users in America. More people access the Internet via their mobile device than PC's now. There's an app for virtually anything and everything and makes me wonder what exactly people are using apps for. Is it more convenience than control or accessibility a little of each or the other way around? Has that thought ever struck you? 

In just the past 3 years, Remote Automation has become the premier platform for home and/or business security systems. Not only are you in control, but you can now get real time updates of any security or life-threatening event via text notification and email, energy management with smart thermostats locking and unlocking your front door deadbolt, video monitoring, even turning the porch light off or on and more. Needless to say, it's put a lot of new found fun in his product!

So you too may have an app for your bank account and favorite video game. Do you think it makes sense to have an app for your most important investment as well?

Call or email to request a FREE Demo app!

How Can I Save Your Life Today?

Over the years, I've come to the realization, if not the outright respect of the life-saving benefits of having a home security system.

That thought runs through my head every morning that I tune into my local news channel and notice the lead stories being a choice of a wrong way drunk driving wreck, a shooting or a home fire. There's nothing that I could possibly have done about the first two, except to stay home under the covers. But for what that's worth, there's still room for the unforeseeable in my cocoon. It's that last choice that concerns me enough with each and every new customer to my security alarm service that I prioritize that as a first optional extra before I turn them on with the sparkle of cool convenient gadgets. 

A simple add-on purchase of a monitored smoke/fire detecting system, no more than $300 in most cases, is possibly the wisest life-saving benefit that you can possibly supply for your home and family.

I know. I had a fire in my home, and my monitored smoke detector channeled the call up to the fire department who arrived in 7 minutes! That was 7 minutes that allowed my family to be outside in fresh air amid the confusion of which one of us called 911. I was sold after the sale on this one.

Consider the return on investment that an addition like this can provide in your due diligence.

Bryan Thompson
Hawk Secuity Services

Contact me for exclusive home and business security promotions!

Post Holiday Blues

This is a re-post of a previous article. I feel it's far more relevant to have foresight in preparing for the risks that may be lurking now in your neighborhood.

It's been two weeks since Christmas and  for every corner I've driven around neighborhoods I can't help but notice that Santa was very good to some folks!

A lot of you got a new flat screen, XBOX,

Smart phone, tablet, etc. A bunch of great electronics! 

Are you bragging about it, or have you stopped to think that you really didn't intend the outside world to know about those big ticket items? With this type of advertising it's like having an online catalog to thieves that are browsing for that specific item. Not to mention if the intention is to sell what they steal, you've left the box for a re-packaging that can be practically passed off as new!

These little over sites are what lead to big heartache in time. So take the extra measure to flatten the boxes, shredding them or turning them inside out. Consider waiting until your scheduled pick up day to place your discards on the curb. 

Remember to think ahead and have a Happy and Safe New Year!

Bryan Thompson
Life Safety Specialist
Hawk Security Services

Get a great start on this Hawk Security Smart Home Automation and Video Monitoring Special!  

Security System Common Sense

Hello, I'm the alarm guy that knocks on your door at dinner time. I'm sure you're thrilled to see me and if you didn't answer the door for a perfect stranger, that's your prerogative. As a matter of fact, you're applying the greatest security system that you possess. Your common sense.

But if you did answer the door, that's ok too. Your inherent security system is kicking in and processing my presence. I'm in your kingdom and you will either turn me away or welcome me in. My objective is to help you keep tabs on home and everything that's near and dear to you when you can't apply that common sense. Primarily, when you're away or asleep.

In my 15+ years of  helping folks with home and business security, I've seen and heard a lot of things from my customers, experiences in the electronic security industry and the changes that are constantly developing.  Just like the need of knocking on your door to see if you're interested in setting up alarm monitoring in the first place. Just the fact you are reading this is evidence of your due diligence so your suaveness is all I need to address. And there's a lot of suaveness in products to help make us a good match. But, however you see it, don't leave your personal safety to chance.

Let's talk about it. Keep tuned and informed!

Bryan Thompson
Life Safety Specialist
Hawk Security Services

Do you need security monitoring for your home or business? Contact me for exclusive promotions!