[photo credit: endtimesprophecyreport.wordpress.com]
DOOR-TO-DOOR BOOK SALESMEN:
FOREIGN ACCENTS, WELL-BUILT, PERSISTENT and SEEKING INFORMATION ABOUT ANY CHILDREN IN THE HOUSE
HAVE YOU SEEN ANY IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD?
UPDATES AT END
Reports are being received nationwide about door-to-door salesmen selling children’s book and persistently asking for information about any children in the home or in the neighborhood.
Book peddlers stir up concern on social media:
From Carlisle to Ephrata parents have gone on social media to warn each other of a bike-riding, book-selling person or group going door-to-door around the midstate.
[…]
Those who were approached all say the same thing. That the person asked where they could find other homes with children inside.
The story, from Mechanicsburg, PA WHTM-abc-27, reported that “hundreds” of parents in the central Pennsylvania area have had “encounters” with the foreign bookseller.
The story was then picked up by South Carolina’s ABC Channel 4, Book peddlers stir up concern on social media.
The foreign bookseller stories first started circulating on the Steve Quayle website on June 26, and continued until today (July 11, 2013).
The foreign book sellers have been reported by Quayle’s readers from Los Angeles [July 11]; undisclosed USA [July 8]; undisclosed USA [June 29]; Fairbanks, Alaska [June 26]; and rural central Illinois [June 26].
UPDATE: In addition, reports have also appeared in local media in Pullman, Washington.
Various details gathered from reports include: the bookseller(s) working either singly or in a group; a heavy foreign–sometimes reported as Russian–accent; well-built; physically fit; military in manner or appearance; selling children’s books; the books are very expensive–sometimes reported in the $100 to $500 per book range.
In addition, the book sellers seek information about any children in the household, including names and ages. They are almost always reported as being “very persistent” about obtaining information about the children or wanting to know when they can return to talk to someone about this matter later.
Some reports say the book sellers inquire about other families with children living in the same neighborhood.
Several reports have mentioned that the parents in the homes contacted by the booksellers home school their children.
Since the phenomena has been reported in Alaska, Illinois, California, Pennsylvania and several undisclosed locations, it might be wise to take precautions until more is known.
Several articles speculated about “child abduction rings.”
As the WHTM article put it:
“…various police departments have warned that resident’s across the midstate should be cautious of anyone who comes to their door. If that person has a permit to sell door-to-door they are required to display their paperwork upon arrival.”
We’d say: good advice!
Until more is known, we’re filing this story under “creepy.”
Stay tuned.
UPDATE @ 0205, July 12, 2013 – The door-to-door bookseller with a heavy foreign accent was reported in August 2011 in the St. Louis area: Door-to-door children’s book salesman raising suspicions.
Many of the details reported in the 2013 accounts are also reported in this article from August 19, 2011.
UPDATE @ 0215, July 12, 2013 – The phenomena of the foreign seller of children’s books was reported by more than a few people in Kingwood Texas in 2010. Mills Branch – Door to Door Book Seller? Exchange Student?
UPDATE @ 0218, July 12, 2013 – The same sellers were reported to the police in Pullman, Washington, on July 11, 2013. Door-to-door booksellers causing alarm
UPDATE @ 0221, July 12, 2013 – Reports from Charleston and other areas of South Carolina were reported in August 30, 2012. Reports of aggressive door-to-door children’s book and software sellers in Pee Dee area (CHS too)
UPDATE @ 226, July 12, 2013 – More reports from South Carolina on August 29, 2012. SC parents fear foreign women selling books door-to-door
UPDATE @ 227 July 12, 2013 – Strange man exhibiting odd behavior reported selling books and inquiring of children in Chatham, NC on July 15, 2011. Have you encountered a man selling books door to door?
UPDATE @ 0447 July 14, 2013 – Fort Smith Police: Door to Door Saleswoman is not a sex trafficer.
UPDATE @ 0448 July 14, 2013 – Door to door salespeople trigger response in Great Falls – July 27, 2012 story from Montana
UPDATE @ 0450 July 14, 2013 – Reports of door to door scammers, apparently aimed at Moms. – July 2013 story from Seattle area
UPDATE @ 0452 July 14, 2013 – Officials receive complaints about door to door salesmen. – August 2012 story from Lancaster County, SC
UPDATE @2000 August 31, 2013 – Scottsbluff (NE) school officials issue door to door survey alert – School officials have received reports of “people going door to door falsely claiming they are conducting surveys for the school district.”
If you are approached by someone stating they are conducting a survey for Scottsbluff Public Schools, please contact local law enforcement.
Related articles
- Beware Door to Door Book Sellers With Foreign Accents-what Are They Planning to Do With Your Children? (collapsingfacade.wordpress.com)
- Do You Know if You are Going to Heaven? Be Sure!
- On the road to Epharta, I mean Ephrata (sott.net)
- Trials, Troubles, Tribulations? Don’t Wait: Place Your Trust in Jesus!
by Jeremiah J. Jameson
© Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report, 2012-13. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
End Times Prophecy Report 
They were in rathdrum Idaho about a month ago
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Just saw this circulating and we had a similar encounter in end of June, we live in Post Falls Idaho. I’m terrified now as I believe I disclosed our children’s names but can’t remember as I did not purchase anything and told them they would have to come back and they never did.
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Shame on you all. This not how God told us to treat strangers.
Stop living in fear and most of all stop spreading fear.
Having and accent is not crime, selling books is not a crime, also g about the age of a child is not a crime after all the books are for children.
What if you was obtaining angles unaware, do you think you passed the test?”You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.”
Leviticus 19:34
“The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy, and have extorted from the sojourner without justice.”
Ezekiel 22:29
“When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong.”
Leviticus 19:33
“You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.”
Exodus 22:21
“You shall not oppress a sojourner. You know the heart of a sojourner, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.”
Exodus 23:9
“There shall be one law for the native and for the stranger who sojourns among you.”
Exodus 12:49
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”
Matthew 25:35
“I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’”
Matthew 25:43
“You shall allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the sojourners who reside among you and have had children among you. They shall be to you as native-born children of Israel. With you they shall be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel.”
Ezekiel 47:22
“Thus says the Lord: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.”
Jeremiah 22:3
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Kendra,
Thank you for taking the time to stop by and leave a comment. You are obviously a person who has compassion.
“Shame on you all. This not how God told us to treat strangers.
Stop living in fear and most of all stop spreading fear.”
Warning people to potential dangers is not fear. This article’s collection of reports from news organizations over the last three years is legitimate.
You quoted many fine scriptures, none of which have much application here. No one advocated doing anything except exercising caution–which was the advice of various law enforcement quoted in the article.
You did allude to Hebrews 13:2, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” That is fine advice–as is “exercise caution.”
In all of your scripture you left out Matthew 10:16–which does apply here.
“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”
Of all of your points, one good one is raised: do not let stories such as this make you fearful of your neighbors and those around you. Do not become socially isolated. If you are a believer, don’t forsake the assembling of yourself together with other believers. [Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”]
Once more, thank you for taking the time to stop by and comment.
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What ‘authorities’??
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Brian,
Thanks for taking the time to stop and comment.
“What authorities??”
According to the article:
Reported by WHTM, the ABC affiliate in South Central Pennsylvania,
“…various police departments have warned that resident’s across the midstate should be cautious of anyone who comes to their door. If that person has a permit to sell door-to-door they are required to display their paperwork upon arrival.”
Reported by KMOV, a CBS affiliate in St. Louis,
“Sheriff Martin said, “We always assume worst case scenarios when dealing in potential child threat incidents.”
As well as,
“Consumers should always be cautious when dealing with companies out of state or one that they are not familiar with. We appreciate the call from the concerned citizens and encourage other to do the same when they observe suspicious activity.”
There are many more, but why shouldn’t you look them up?
The links are provided as well as some of the quotes.
This is a good example of someone leaving a hit-and-run comment. No proof, no evidence, nothing to substantiate your doubts except a couple of question marks and attitude.
That being said, thanks once more for taking the time to contribute to the discussion.
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Just a few weeks ago, there was a young guy with a Scandinavian or maybe Germanic accent at my door. He was selling books d2d and asking about families on the street who may have children, so he would know where to go for his particular demographic, which is children’s books. There was no aggressive attitude about him whatsoever. He seemed like a decent enough guy, to me. I really didn’t think much about it, other than he was a hard working guy going to school and trying to get by just like everyone else. It just never occurred to me that he may have some other intent. I even gave him some water. I’m glad my mind doesn’t think that way and I haven’t heard any uproar in this neighborhood. So glad I live in an area where most people have open minds. Apparently not so just 110 miles west of here. I live in SE Pa.
Kenda is right. Having a foreign accent is not a crime. What is it that makes you fear these people? Xenophobia? My maternal grandparents had foreign accents and I never met finer people than them.
A ‘potential’ danger is only a danger in your own minds. I have NOT seen anything in these reports that say that any children have been harmed whatsoever.
While I know that the rumor of these ‘strangers’ existing are true, I am not aware of any misdeeds by these people.
This is what’s wrong with this society, fear of the unknown.
I feel bad for you ‘end of timers’, you live for the end when all along Christ is already here.
“Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is (already) within you.” (Luke 17:21)
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Brian,
Once again thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.
I’m not sure if you’re being purposely obtuse or you really don’t see that you have completely shifted the focus of the discussion FROM a warning about people who have raised suspicions across the country TO your wonderful great grandparents and xenophobia.
Having dealt with many such people before in the world of “politics and the Internet,” my suspicions are the former.
Your choice of words gives you away.
“A ‘potential’ danger is only a danger in your own minds. I have NOT seen anything in these reports that say that any children have been harmed whatsoever.
While I know that the rumor of these ‘strangers’ existing are true, I am not aware of any misdeeds by these people.
This is what’s wrong with this society, fear of the unknown.
I feel bad for you ‘end of timers’, you live for the end when all along Christ is already here.”
The only one speaking of “fear,” “danger” and “children harmed” is yourself.
“While I know that the rumor of these ‘strangers’ existing are true…”
If you know it to be true, by definition, it would not be a rumor.
Maybe you just wanted to leave a comment to let everyone know what a wonderful, open-minded human being you are?
Thanks!
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about a month ago i had 2 men come to my door asking me if i knew about a new book store they have opened up and it was a white man young fit brown hair and a black man young short hair and they asked me if i had any kids and how old are they they was driven a red van this is in decatur alabama the white man had two flags in his hands a alabama and war eagle flags they asked me if they could come back later to talk to the head of the household
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Sooo…. basically no children have been abducted after any of these occurrences? Ever think you might just be paranoid perhaps a little bit biased against “Foreign Book Sellers with Accents”?
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Daws,
Soooo….basically the article didn’t promote any theories of “child abduction.” The only one talking “child abduction” appears to be you.
Did you read that in the article? Or, did you bring that along with you from wherever you originated?
Biased against people with accents?
In almost all news reports, people reported that the “book sellers” had accents. I am no more “biased” against people with accents than I am “biased” against rocks when reporting a story about avalanches.
Paranoid? Not for writing on a legitimate happening reported by media throughout the country.
Okay, maybe just a little.
Primarily, for thinking that comments that attempt to hi-jack the discussion from what has been reported to “paranoid” xenophobia might just be a planned distraction.
Thanks for stopping by.
NOTE TO READERS: After a distraction posing as a comment, it’s always good to re-focus.
Again, the take-away from the article should be:
1-A warning to parents of what is happening. Be careful about to whom you give information concerning your children.
2-Be aware of what is happening in your own neighborhood. In today’s society, many people are isolated from their neighbors.
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People need to research this story themselves. Don’t just keep reading the same regurgitated story over and over. If you actually read the news story cited in this article (“The story, from Mechanicsburg, PA WHTM-abc-27, reported that “hundreds” of parents in the central Pennsylvania area have had “encounters” with the foreign bookseller.”) you would have read:
“The police departments said they worked with the Department of Homeland Security to investigate the allegations that they are involved in a child abduction ring. They have not found any evidence to support this”
A little further investigation would show you that this is an old hoax, re written. There is no proof, no actual cases, of this happening.
Ignorance is dangerous. So is believing things like this based solely on trust that it’s true and not facts.
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Kathleen Mary,
Thank you for taking the time to stop and comment.
Why did you immediately bring up “child abduction rings” and then pretend that this is what the discussion centers around?
It does not center around “child abduction rings.” Only yourself and one other person in the comments making the same canned accusation trying to steer the conversation into something it is not have even raised that point.
If you don’t do a better job at sidetracking and shaping discussions, they will replace you with someone who can get the job done.
The discussion is about people showing up and asking questions about kids all over the country; pretending to sell books but not caring if they apparently sold any. The phenomena has been reported over the last three summers. Not by your Uncle Charlie or Cousin so-and-so, but by local media outlets all over the country.
AS THE STORY CLEARLY STATES.
Of course you KNOW it is NOT an “old hoax” precisely because you are familiar with the story.
It’s been consistently reported by local media–throughout the entire country–and consistently reported by people who live in the areas those media outlets cover.
Thank you for stopping. Come back when you have something to contribute to the discussion as it is written and reported here.
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They are in Valley Springs CA too. The mans name is Josef he was very interested in not only sell me a set if books for $100 but he asked a lot of questions regarding my special needs son…
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Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaake up people! They are in every city and state in the union, so how many are there? A small army? Gathering info for future events? I am willing to bet 50% of the posts about the sweet and innocent book sellers from Russia are the book sellers from Russia! Telling us all to go back to sleep in dreamland while they get their strategies in order, for us lazy good for nothing fat Americans! I had one stop by here, trying to be cutsey with his explanation of why he had a thick accent. His 2013 0r 2014 Nissan Maxima was my first clue something did not jive! Earning his way through college driving a car 17 years newer than mine. Foolishness! He went into this spiel on how he was going to talk to my kids about this and that! I knew spiritually something was quite wrong, and just turned away saying I am really busy no thanks and went in.
Later I find out the truth about these Ruskies! They are on a mission and it is not to sell books! God help us!
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Thanks for your comment.
I’m not sure that the article would lead everyone to the same conclusions you made.
“Be aware,” not paranoid or alarmist.
Thanks once again for taking the time to stop and leave a comment.
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I’ve noticed that there has been no further comments regarding these run in’s with these so called salesman since 2013. I’ve recently as of tonight experienced this and it was not a pleasant experience. As a Mother, the accent, or being a foreign exchange student, as I was told by the salesman, wasn’t my concern. Nor was it the fact that he actually came to my door to try to sell curriculum. What raised a red flag people was the fact that he had a map of the entire street in his folder asking if I knew any other houses where children lived, or how about the fact that he told me he just spoke to my neighbor Emily across the street and has an appointment with her, there is no Emily across the street, because I know the neighbors. What about how he first tried to ask to come into my home and sit down and discuss the cost, or how he asked me in a very script like manner to come in and use my bathroom because he had been working all day. He was extremely persistent and then proceeded to ask the names of my children and their ages. He asked me what school they went too. That was Monday, August 10, 2015. Tonight he shows up at my door at 830 PM. Same line of questions, thankfully my oldest son answered the door. Asked him tons of questions all the while I can hear that he is giving the same script but this time he uses the fact that he supposedly lives 60 minutes away and asks my 20 year old son to give him a ride home. We don’t find this odd? We want to use scripture to say we’re being less than Godly on loving strangers because we find things like this to be out of the ordinary and frankly those that are naive will know no wiser when someone has a ploy or plan. I asked this gentleman several times for a business card in which he stated he had none and would just come back, I even asked to see his badge that he was wearing and he wouldn’t show me, he was extremely on edge. I may be a woman, but I am one to be cautious and aware of my surroundings. I don’t get easily creeped out or judge people quickly, but this was not just a normal friendly door to door salesman. In fact, I had one come by today from Edward Jones, briefly introduced himself and his partner, told us why he was in the neighborhood, and offered his card before I even had to ask and then said have a great day and left. I have a way to verify he is who he says he is, I have absolutely no way to verify who this other stranger is who has come to my house 3 times, and attempts to access my home and get in my car. You don’t find this unsettling? I am sure you would if it happened to you.
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UPDATE—- July 2,2019
Was just approached at the home i baby sit at by one of these people. Very persistent and wanted to come sit inside and talk to me. I was obviously very weirded out by it. She had a Russian accent and was very persistent. Gave me a weird gut feeling.
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