Alabama Administrative Code › Title 304 - ALABAMA ELECTRONIC SECURITY BOARD OF LICENSURE › Chapter 304-X-1 - INITIAL RULES › Section 304-X-1-.07 - Code Of Ethics

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 9, June 28, 2024
(1) The following code is intended to aid
			 companies licensed by the Alabama Electronic Security Board of Licensure and
			 their employees, individually and collectively, (hereinafter referred to as
			 companies), in maintaining a high level of ethical conduct. This code evolved
			 out of the experience of the Board and is binding on all licensed companies and
			 their employees.
(a) All licensees and
			 employees of licensees must have visible on their person a photo identification
			 card issued by the licensing board at all times when providing licensed
			 services. This requirement does not apply to administrative, management, and
			 monitoring station employees who do not contact with consumers in the
			 field.
(b) Companies will always
			 render services at the highest level of quality. Companies performing
			 unsolicited sales on the consumers of the State of Alabama shall take great
			 care to uphold the ethical standards set forth by the Board.
1. Companies shall not misrepresent the
			 status of another company. This includes, but is not limited to, falsely
			 telling potential customers that another company has gone or is going out of
			 business, is leaving the State of Alabama, has had their AESBL license revoked,
			 is merging with another company, or that they are upgrading equipment for
			 another company.
2. Companies shall
			 not interfere with or coach potential customers or new customers obtained via
			 unsolicited sales when pre-installation and/or installation surveys are
			 conducted.
3. Companies shall
			 inform potential customers and obtain consent from said customers regarding the
			 use of third-party lending for security and/or locksmith equipment.
4. Companies shall inform potential customers
			 that a Consumer Report will be obtained through a Consumer Reporting Agency
			 before a credit report is requested.
5. Companies shall not engage in white paging
			 if a potential customer is denied credit based on their Consumer
			 Report.
6. Companies shall not add
			 an unauthorized co-signer to an account if a co-signer is required for a
			 potential customer to obtain credit financing.
7. Companies shall give to all new and
			 potential customers a paper copy of their right to cancel a new security
			 system. The instructions shall include contact information, how many days they
			 have to cancel, and the method in which the notice of cancellation should be
			 sent, including the company's mailing address, email address, and fax
			 number.
8. Companies that have
			 potentially engaged in any form of identity theft shall be considered for
			 referral to the District Attorney or the Attorney General's Office.
(c) Companies must include the
			 following information at the bottom front of each contract for services:
All complaints or concerns regarding the installation or
				service of a lock, alarm, or CCTV system may be directed to the: AESBL at 7956
				Vaughn Road, PMB 392, Montgomery, Alabama 36116 (334) 557-0983.
(d) All licensees must provide an
			 electronic or paper copy to each customer in which alarm, locksmith, or CCTV
			 services have been provided. The electronic copy provided to a customer must be
			 emailed to the customer at the customer provided email address within 24 hours
			 of the completed sell, service, or installation. A Notice of Cancellation
			 document must also be given to the client and the procedure for cancelling a
			 contract must be clearly explained to the client.
(e) Upon request, licensees will give to each
			 client or potential client their AESBL license number and each individual will
			 show his/her AESBL identification card to all existing and potential clients,
			 law enforcement personnel, AESBL Board Members, AESBL inspectors and
			 investigators, and the AESBL staff upon request.
(f) Companies will inform each client of
			 their rights, including their right to cancel a new contract within a specified
			 time period, and encourage them to maintain records of all activities and
			 contracts related to the installation of locks or an electronic security
			 system.
(g) Companies will
			 adequately train each client in the proper use of their locks or electronic
			 security system, will provide customers lockout codes upon receipt of written
			 requests within ten (10) business days, and will not sell customers
			 pre-programmed panels without written disclosure to the customer.
(h) Companies will advise customers who
			 already have electronic security service that, if they already have a contract
			 for services, they may be obligated for payments under the terms of their
			 present contracts as well as any new contract signed.
(i) Companies will respond within ten (10)
			 business days to customer complaints regarding sales, installation, servicing
			 or monitoring of their locks or electronic security systems or the conduct of
			 any person employed or sub-contracted by the company.
(j) Company representatives will make a
			 reasonable attempt to identify the owner of a residence, a commercial
			 establishment, or vehicle before performing work.
(k) Companies will not engage in deceptive,
			 fraudulent, or illegal activity targeting individuals age sixty (60) or older
			 or individuals who do not appear to be mentally competent. Doing so may result
			 in their license being suspended on an emergency basis without a hearing if
			 said activity is confirmed by the AESBL investigator or other law enforcement
			 agency and/or personnel by a signed and notarized affidavit.
(l) Companies must wait four (4) business
			 days before performing unsolicited services for an individual age 75 or older
			 and must provide these same customers with a 30 day right to cancel in their
			 contract.