When trying to pick a commercial or residential security company/solution the options are vast and somewhat confusing. Do you simply google “security companies near me”? Do you ask a friend for a referral or do you trust your cable provider?
Recently Spectrum, a cable service provider owned by Charter Communications, informed their customers that they would be completely ending their home security offerings.
At Spectrum, we continually evaluate our products to make sure we're bringing you superior, consistent and reliable services. We perform regular reviews of our services, and, as a result, we have decommissioned our Home Security offerings. As of February 5, 2020, Home Security is no longer available and we'll no longer be providing or supporting Home Security Service. (spectrum.net)
According to Gizmodo “Spectrum will no longer support customers who’ve purchased its Spectrum Home Security equipment. None of the devices—the cameras, motion sensors, smart thermostats, and in-home touchscreens—can be paired with other existing services. In a few weeks, it’ll all be worthless junk.” Leaving some customers out hundreds of dollars in equipment costs.
At Tasco Security we also see many fly-by-night local security providers sell customers expensive hardware, warranties and service plans only to be out of business in 2-3 years, leaving the client high and dry.
The other security solution that is growing in popularity while also growing in questionable business tactics is the Ring doorbell, made by Amazon. Just look at the below headlines from the past few months showing how Ring customers data is being sold to 3rd parties:
“Cute videos, but little evidence: Police say Amazon Ring isn't much of a crime fighter. Hundreds of police departments have signed agreements with Ring to gain access to footage filmed on home surveillance cameras.” (nbcnews.com)
“Ring doorbell 'gives Facebook and Google user data”(bbc.com)
Our point is not to scare you from utilizing a security provider or avoiding a new security technology such as mobile apps, mesh radio or IP Cameras. But we do suggest researching the local security company you may be considering:
- How long have they been in business?
- Is there staff certified and what is their training program?
- Do they run background checks?
- How do they select the hardware partners they utilize?
- Can they give you an existing customer to speak with as a referral?
- Do they use UL listed monitoring services and parts?
- Do they have a dedicated, local customer service staff (or is it outsourced overseas or none at all)?
Tasco Security has been providing peace-of-mind security solutions for residential and business customers to the Upper Valley Region of New Hampshire and Vermont for over 50 years. Our professionally trained and certified staff understands the specific security needs of our customers. If you have any security questions, we would be happy to chat about commercial or home security technologies.
