PONTE VEDRA, Fla. -- They show up when you least suspect it. And too often, when you're caught off guard.
"They're very congenial. They usually have a hard luck story and they pull on your heartstrings," Natalie Griffin said.
We're talking about teen solicitors. Lately, they've been going door to door in neighborhoods around St. Johns County trying to sell magazine subscriptions or get donations.
"There will be a van that comes around and drops one of them off, picks one of them up. You'll see three or four of them at the same time," Gary Jurenovich said.
Jurenovich has had his fair share of run-ins. He says the teens come frequently, about a once a week to be exact.
That often results in a call to the cops and a weary feeling among neighbors.
"I think it's a scam. All of it. I believe all of it is a scam," Jurenovich continued.
A photo was taken by someone who was approached. According to the teen's paperwork, he was representing Inner City Solutions out of Gary, Ind.
We wanted to know if it was legit, so we called the number listed. A guy named Rayshawn answered. He claims the group benefits at-risk youth in cities across the country. He says they work with non-profit groups to get teens communication training and off the street.
The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office says they don't have any reports of scams, but that doesn't mean they aren't happening.
Griffin says when in doubt, don't hand over any money.
"If I don't know who's knocking on my door, I just choose not to answer it at all."
In St. Johns County, you have to have a license to solicit.
