By Elizabeth Cloutman

Los Altos Hills

The sales tactics used by a team of door-to-door magazine solicitors in Los Altos Hills have generated numerous resident complaints, according to the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office.

The companies that the solicitors represent are legitimate and those who have ordered subscriptions have received their magazines, police said, but the group’s sales tactics are questionable.

Deputy Jeff McCoy, who works out of the Los Altos Hills sub-station, said the solicitors also have not applied for the proper sales permits from the town.

The sales representatives, typically age 18-25, work in crews for two San Diego-based companies, Extreme Sales and Elite Sales, Inc.

According to McCoy, the solicitors have given residents differing accounts for selling subscriptions.

“They’ll tell people they’re from the neighborhood or nearby, and they’re trying to win a contest for an internship or a trip to another country,” he said. “One guy said he had lost a leg and walked with a limp.”

Residents said the man appeared to be pretending, McCoy added.

“People should not be afraid to say no,” McCoy advised. “If residents feel they’re suspicious, they should call (the sheriff’s office).”