This post contains affiliate links. Opinions are my own.
Have you seen the free child safety kit shared on Facebook? Are wondering if there is a catch to the “free” offer? I was too! Read what I learned in this free child safety kit review.
Recently, I saw a child safety kit recommended on Facebook. That was it. I saw the post shared by a friend, my brain cataloged the idea, and I moved on to other things.
A few days later, my children came up missing.
Seriously. Gone.
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All four had wandered away leaving me as a heaping mess of panic.
Granted, we found them safe and sound – they were at a friend’s house without permission – but it was enough of an incident to make me think twice about a child safe kit.
Perhaps having a child safety kit was like having insurance. God forbid we ever need to use it… but we have everything ready should something happen.
About the Free Child Safety Kit
“Are free child safety kits really free?” That was my first thought.
Call me a skeptic but my daddy always taught me that if something looks too good to be true, it usually is. And while Dad’s advice is true in most situations, the free child safety kit is really free… but with a few strings attached.
Where to get a free child safety kit
To order a free child safe kit, you can visit The Child Safety Kit.
When you arrive, you will be asked for the number of children and your zip code.
Asking for my zip code made me pause for half a second. I wondered why they needed it and then figured I would need to pick up my child safety kits from an event or location.
Then, when I clicked to “check availability,” the results said kits were not available in my area.
Weird.
So I tried with the next closest zip code.
Bingo. Four kits were found and I was feeling better.
The page automatically redirects to a form where I am asked for my name and email address.
This is when the reality started to set in.
I thought I knew why this company was giving away “free” child safety kits. My blogger’s brain was thinking that they were trying to drive traffic to the ad for “EverydayHappy” and related junk email from “affiliate partners.”
Since I have an email address specifically for it, I can handle junk mail. And I felt pretty smug not clicking to get free diapers.
Then, the next page…
Hold up… You want my mailing address and phone number? Why would I need to give that information if I was going to pick up my kit? Shipping perhaps?
Then I looked closer.
Notice the fine print at the bottom under the “get my no cost kit(s) button.”
While the child safe kit is free, you are giving permission for a salesperson to come into your home, set up your kit, and give you a sales pitch for additional insurance.
Something else to notice about the free child safety kit offer
On each page, there is not only an advertisement but there is also a hidden emotional trigger. In the e-commerce world, we call it “social proof.”
Notice the Facebook widget were it shows how many people like their page? Then, see the little box on the next page that tells me how many people in Mobile have already requested a kit?
RELATED: Parent’s Guide to Safety Rules for Kids
These are emotional triggers meant to make me feel more secure in trusting this company. It’s the “if everyone else is doing it, this must be okay” mentality.
But beyond the emotional triggers used to get my information, is the free child safe kit really necessary? Should I push my doubt aside and go for it?
Is the free child safety kit a smart choice?
The value of the child safety kit would be determined by two things:
- What is in the child safe kit?
- What does it cost?
Since the kit does not cost money (only time and information), does the contents of the child safety kit make this something you definitely need?
Hmmm… I’m not sure. Nothing on the website tells you exactly what is coming in the kit.
Create your own Child Safe Kit with FREE printable
Typically, a child safety kit includes a fingerprint card, personal record card (for keeping child’s weight, height, photograph, and other information), and DNA collection tips. However, the contents could vary greatly.
So, is the free child safety kit you saw on Facebook worth it?
While this is not a scam, you must really think about whether or not you want to issue an invitation for a salesperson to call you… or even show up at your home.
If you are interested in insurance or just really want the child safety kit, go for it. Sign up now.
I got the McGruff safety kit for all my 3 kids. And they were free.
http://www.mcgruff-safe-kids.com/shop/mcgruff-safe-kids-id-kit/
How? All I see is how to purchase?
Maybe it was a free deal? I was lucky and got 4.
I ordered the same. I won’t give my kids information out to them. I will fill it out, mom. Y would they want it? That would make me think a scam if they say they need it.
Safe and a reliable source for free Safety Kits for our children.
A child safety kit should be available at your local police department.
I filled out one of these forms, and when the lady called me to “set up a time to show you how to use the kit”, I asked if they could just send it to me without a meeting. No, I was told. “We want to make sure you do it properly.” Well, I had a feeling like they might be trying to sell me something and I said this week wasn’t a good time. Guess what they did? Showed up at my door anyways a few days later!! She said she was in the neighborhood and wanted to see if tonight or the next couple of days worked. I asked if they were going to try to sell me something and she said no, but you might qualify for some offers…I almost caved, but happened to ask how long it takes…45 minutes!!! No thank you. I’m a little annoyed that they are playing on parents’ fears in order to sell insurance.
I cannot believe she showed up even though you asked her not to! That is insane!
thank you for this. I got the same exact call and asked if they can leave it in the mailbox, but they have to make sure i do it correctly. I won’t be home and I was scared that I just divulged that info and something would happen while I was away. They said they would call back next week to schedule a time, so hopefully, I can decline it then.
They just called me and the same scenario! Thy better not show up at my house. I will snap!
Someone showed up at my doorstep because i would not answer the phone
Hi – thanks for the review Penny I am so glad I saw this – or even thought to check for a review. Like you I hesitated at the zip code. Continuing, I thought – why would I GIVE my children’s personal info like address phone email etc – over the internet at all??? I have decided to go my own route and make a small kit of my own. Some current pics, finger prints, and measurements I can keep to access at a moments notice! I won’t be doing this one! Thx for the review!
Also – I am NEVER EVER going to agree willingly to allow a strange into my home to scope the place out and make notes of my children’s details. This scares me and seems a bit suspicious. What do you think? Set up? Am I crazy?
And I don’t think you are crazy AT ALL. I would rather be overly cautious than just hand my information out to everyone who asks for it.
I recently did this child safety kit thing but after I thought about it I decided I wasn’t comfortable with it. The first person I spoke to I clearly stated I was no longer interest and every other day sometimes several times a day I get calls from different numbers different people and now I’m on high alert who should I contact to report this???
Of course you realize that a life insurance agent (stranger) is licensed by the State right?
And that you can’t get that license if you are a criminal or predator , right? (At least in my state: NY)
Except I didn’t agree to a life insurance sales pitch in the first place.
I am doing the same thing, making my own kit. You can see the details here: https://www.meetpenny.com/2018/01/diy-child-safe-kit/
AIL does not demand entry or collect your child’s information. The children do not even have to be present- only the parents. The parents complete the kit with the their children and keep it with them. It’s the representatives job to show you how and what to do with it. No child info is collected by the rep. Misconceptions can keep you from protecting your children. And yes, all reps are licensed with a criminal background check. The child safe kit could literally save the life of your child.
I am an American Income Life rep. You are correct, we do not collect this information. There are scams going around about these, so I understand the concern from parents. If they ask for the info run, it is a scam! The scams are why I am here, so I know what to look for and to tell those I talk to, so they know what to look out for.
The rep we had during our video phone call wanted our kids information that made me pause the whole thing right in its tracks. And I told my husband we needed to do some more research first!
Just happened to me. Never will i fill out one of these forms again. It actually scared me when this lady showed up at my house, i thought i invited a pedophile or trafficker to my door. This should be illegal to play on parents fears. She supposed to come again sat am and im going give her a piece of my mind.
As a long-time employee of a reputable and verifiable child identification company, I have been fielding calls from frantic parents for over 2 years regarding this child safe kit scam. Yes, it is a scam. As mentioned by the author, this company preys on parents by dangling a “free” id kit in their view, all under the guise of harvesting their name and address so they can come to their house and sell life insurance. I have spoken with parents who have been scared, as these insurance representatives from AMERICAN INCOME LIFE have shown up at their homes, unannounced, and demanded to come inside. Once inside, they try to sell the parents life insurance with high pressure tactics for several hours. I am writing to say, that not only is this practice unethical, it is not the way child id is done. Child ID Kits should be mailed confidentially to your home, and NO ONE should come into your home to complete the kit for you. Again, this company sells life insurance, that is their primary concern, NOT child safety. So, please be aware of this scam, as it is perpetuating an immense amount of fear within the parents that call us, and that is completely counteractive to child safety. If you are contacted by any of these salespeople, you have the right to refuse their entry into your home (you are never obligated to open the door), and you have the right to call the police if these people trespass on your property. Please know again, that no one should ever have access to your child’s information and no one should ever help you complete an ID kit in your home. I sincerely hope this message reaches many, as our company has spent so much time trying to deflect this sales scam, and to teach parents the authentic way child ID is done. Thank you to the author of this article for the opportunity to present this information, you are helping many parents to avoid the stress, fear, and invasion that AMERICAN INCOME LIFE is perpetuating.
I am afraid I fell victim to the scare tactics and requested kits for my little ones and had someone come by the house already…
I foolishly agreed to let them come back when my husband and I are both home and now I want to cancel this meeting with American Life Income. Does anybody have info on how to effectively cancel the meeting??? I tried through their general website but I have a feeling I’m going to get a knock at my door again. UGH.
OH NO! I have no idea and I’m sorry you feel pressured. 🙁
I went on the site I saw on Facebook and got a phone call from a rep she had a zoom call with me and offered me free life insurance also I gave my children’s age and name what do I do was this all a scam.? But nothing not one time was said about coming to my home it was all done over zoom?
My husband found the kits on fb as well and same zoom meeting there was a ton of red flags from the certified agent leading up to him asking for our children’s information thats when I stopped it and said we needed to research more first… it didn’t feel right… I pray all is well for you 🙏
When parents call us, I recommend that they go on Google and locate their local American Income Life branch, and see if they can talk with someone to cancel the appointment. One of the red flags of this scam, is that they do not provide contact information or any clear way to cancel. This, of course, is done, so that they are able to get themselves into a person’s home to sell life insurance. Please know, you are NEVER obligated to open your door, if someone shows up. It is your home, and your property. So, if you cannot find a way to cancel, do not open the door– ignore them. If they do not leave, please call the police, as they are then trespassing. Never feel obligated or guilty. Remember, this is a sales call to them, and not a child identification visit. I hope this information helps.
This just happened to me too. I read about this on a facebook post, i wanted to get this free McGruff kids safety kit. Well, 3 girls showed up at my door and yes they wanted to come inside. I said no because my brother was sleeping on the couch at the time sick and we would have to stay outside and talk. They were nice, but pushy, and kept interrupting me as we talked. They were trying to sell me insurance. I just said i’m not interested and they left. But it was very creepy. Do not fall for this! It is a SCAM!
“As a long-time employee of a reputable and verifiable child identification company” SHAME ON YOU. If you knew anything at all, AIL IS BACKED by the National Crime Prevention Council and has partnered with AIL to get these kits into as many parents hands as possible. McGruffs own President, Kurt Boerner, (depending on where you made your request on the internet) sends a response email letting you know as a “thank you for being a responsible parent” he is extending access to your family to some of the same excellent benefits that Police Officers get from their unions, and asks you to listen to what the licensed insurance professional delivering your kit has to offer. IT IS NOT A SCAM. And ever since the Pandemic started, you can now do the meeting with a rep virtually through Zoom. So all of you who unfortunately missed out on the Free Child Safety kits and other Free benefits (such as a No Cost Will Kit, Health Discount Card and more) because you were too frightened, I would reconsider. What you gain in return is far more valuable than the time it takes to listen to a 30 minute presentation given by a licensed professional.
PARENTS WE ARE NOT TRYING TO SELL INSURANCE. I AM TRYING TO ADVISE YOU ON A FEW PLANS THAT YOU CAN DECIDE TO TAKE OR NOT TAKE! WE TAKE YOU THE CHILD SAFE KIT, DISCOUNT CARDS, AND A FAMILY INFORMATION GUIDE THAT YOU TAKE TO YOUR NOTARY. WE DO NOT FILL OUT THE CSK FOR YOU. YOU DO IT WHEN WE LEAVE. AND YES WE ARE APPROVED BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT I CAN SEND YOU PICTURES AS PROOF. THIS CAN BE DONE THRU ZOOM, IN PERSON, OR IN OUR OFFICE. IT IS NOT A SCAM. YOU CAN CHECK WITH THE OPLICE DEPARTMENT OR I CAN SEND YOU THE PICTURES WE HAVE.
About a month ago, I ordered one of those free McGruff Child Safety Kits… and after I submitted the request, I felt stupid and immediately emailed them to cancel it.
Today, I received a phone call from a representative from this company… the signal was bad, so I ended up hanging up. He called twice more. I don’t know about you, but when someone is ignoring your calls, that’s a big hint that they don’t want to talk to you. He didn’t even leave a message!
Tonight at 7:30, someone (I’m assuming this same guy), showed up at my door and rattled my screen. It really freaked me out, so I didn’t answer and went to get my husband. We watched him through our blinds as he just waited on our porch, screwing around with our locked mail box. Then, he rang the doorbell. We still didn’t answer and instead of LEAVING, he started calling my name through the door.
Finally, my husband answered, this guy tells him that I ordered a McGruff Safety Kit, then my husband tells him that I wasn’t there and that he needed to leave. But honestly, I’m so freaked out and upset over how this guy handled this extremely unwelcome visit. I immediately contacted their customer service, but I probably won’t hear anything until tomorrow.
I live in a community where soliciting door to door is not allowed, today my doorbell rang and a man at the door said my name ,introduced himself, and asked if I had requested 4 child safety kits, I was searching my mind to figure out if I did request at sometime, I love free anything, so I had to wonder if I had filled something out, I can’t remember. So like a fool I said yes, he asked if I had a spouse and then said he was affiliated with the policemen’s union , so I asked if he was an officer, he said no and again stated he was affiliated with the policemen’s union, I live down a dirt driveway but not out in the sticks, there is no thru street and I do have a neighbor 2 feet from me, although he never stated he was with an insurance company , I am more creeped out by his knowledge of how many kids were in my household and he knew my first name, we set up a time for him to come back at 4 p.m tomorrow, and me being flighty at the moment didn’t ask for a business card, yes, dumb me. I am now paranoid in my state there were just 67 human trafficking arrests most children, first thing to pop in my head ,now every crazy scenario is popping into my head I will be contacting my local police department to inquire about this, and if and when he shows up , I don’t know whether to not answer the door or open it and tell him to go away? I goggled my situation and first on the list was meet penny, so am glad I found penny nice to meet you and I will be returning to your site.
you can always check the license. we are all required to go thru a background check prior to signing contract.
I ordered one of these, then promptly forgot I had. Before the representative could set up an appointment to “drop off my kit” I had already gotten one for free from the local police department at a back to school event in my area.
I let the sales rep in, made it clear that I would not be interested in anything that would cost out of my pocket. I don’t have anything against insurance, I just feel that I am sufficiently covered and don’t feel like fitting anything else into my budget. The rep was very nice, went over the ID Kit (i.e. showed me the different sections and told me what kind of information went in each – she did NOT help fill it out or ask me what any of the information was). She left me with a brochure, the ID kit, and a “Family Information” form that I can fill out so my family has the information they need in event of an emergency.
All in all, I am okay with the way this happened, but do wish I had read the fine print more closely when requesting the original ID kit.
Argh! I stupidly ordered one of these and when a guy called and said he needed to drop them off I told him when I would/wouldn’t be home! I feel like such a dumb dumb. Now I am debating trying to call back and cancel or just seeing I can shoo him away. My biggest fear is someone using our info to hurt the kids in some way or steal our identities.
Penny, love your site. Great, informative exploration/investigation. Yes, I caught the fine print as well, that’s when I understood what they were doing. Apparently this has been around in different forms for a while. Well, I ran through it with a PO Box, so they won’t be visiting me! (we all can’t fit into that tiny box anyway)
Very funny, Joe! I wonder if they will deliver it to a PO Box? Keep me updated!
I recently did this too. A woman left me a message that she was in my area the following day and wanted to set up a time to come by. I ignored the call. After she called me 5 more times over two weeks she showed up unannounced at my door on a Friday night around 7:15 pm. Rang the door bell, banged on the door. We finally answered and she said i don’t answer my phone and asked if now was a good time. Uhhh no, no it’s not. She gave me her number and was like now you know that’s me when I call. I actually texted her to set up her appointment and asked why this had to be done in person same response. To be sure it’s dont properly. When she got here tonight one of the first questions i asked is how does you company make money. That’s when I realized this was a sales pitch for life insurance (which we already have). I asked if I could take some literature so we could review on our own time. Nope. Ok then we aren’t interested. She was fine with that, showed me the kit and was on her way. It was all quite strange though.
This just happened to me as well. I am so relieved to see this is for an insurance scam and not for child trafficking. When a guy showed up at my door asking when my husband would be home and asking about my kids I really lost it. Luckily my husband was home withen 5 minutes. Definitely an internet lesson learned for me. Never give your address to anyone especially if it’s involving your kids! A safety kit of all things, the entire experience had me shaken to the core. making my own kit as well…
THIS HAS ME SCARED TO DEATH, HOW DO I GET THEM TO LEAVE ME ALONE AND FORGET MY INFO, I ALREADY HAVE INSURANCE AND SO DOES HER / HIS DAD
2 years ago I signed up for 2 mcgruff child safety kits. Nothing ever came of it until today! A man came to my home to set it up. I told him it’d been two years and I was no longer interested.
My story is the same as others. Signed up for these kits from my kids preschool 2 years ago. Had misc phone calls (most I ignored) and one call last week who wanted to drop off our kit since they were in my area. I told him “no, that’s ok, I’m not interested anymore. I’m on a deadline at work. Can’t talk.” Then he said “oh, well let’s I can call back in a couple weeks”. I said ok just to get off the phone. Then tonight a guy and lady are at my door while my son is in the bath and my husband and daughter are at dinner. I thought it was them or I would not have answered. The couple verified my phone number and asked if I had received the child safety kit. I said “no, but now is not a good time.” They asked if they can come back in a couple days since they’ll be in the area. I told them no, Friday’s are bad. I asked if they had the kit with them so I could take it now. They said no and asked if my husband was home. I said no (that was stupid in hind sight) and they said they prefer to talk when it’s the both of us to help with the child safety kits Incase there is ever an amber alert. I said Tuesday nights are best and the lady wrote the date and time on her business card and handed it to me. They left and I felt really weird about the whole thing. I told my husband when he got home and he was upset with me for opening the door or even talking to them. I showed him their business card and it did have the American Life Insurance company info on it and the back was the info about the child kits. He knew it was a scam and didn’t want them to come back, let alone in our home for a 30 min. sales pitch presentation. I googled the child safety kits and found your post and thought I should share my story too. Sad that the same scam is going on after 2 years. I emailed the lady to cancel my upcoming appointment and to take me off their list.
Tiffany, unfortunately you turned away people that were actually trying to help you. Educating people on the correct way to protect their children, as well as their families isn’t a “sales pitch”. It’s a meeting to advise families about the problems many other families have, and the proper ways to protect themselves from the same occurrences. I know it was not your intention, but the information you shared could easily cause parents to lose out on important information they deserve to be given. Just under 500,000.00 children go missing EVERY year that could have possibly been recovered with the kits that you are scaring people into thinking are a scam. Before calling something a scam, look at the BBB, see if they are a licensed business. Not once in your post did I see mention that you looked for actual facts. Look at the company itself, not just a general post on a random website that claims fingerprint kits are a scam. Yes, some companies may very well be scams, but don’t lump everyone into the same category. It hurts a lot of innocent families that could really use the help and information that now will never get it.
Wow, I am glad I am reading this. A man came to my door last week, asked if my [my wife’s name] was available, and that she ordered these free kits… She had undergone a medical procedure earlier that day and she was stuck in bed the rest of the day, so I told him this and that she wasn’t available. He said he would need to have a meeting with her and asked to come back. Now, I’m not exactly sure what my wife might have signed up for so I agreed. He had me take down his info(funny thing is, he only gave a company name and his name….no number I realized later). I set him up with another day to come by(literally as I’m writing this, he is due to show up). Later, when my wife was awake, I told her about this and she was surprised someone actually came by. Apparently, she had signed up months ago but, as many others here, had shortly after canceled. No call, nothing, until a random drop by. An hour ago I started looking into how to cancel, as I am unable to call him directly, since he did not leave his phone number as mentioned above. Came across this article and a few other things on this kind of stuff. I’m about to let the guy know not to come back. Thanks for the article.
Oh, and one other thing that came to my mind as I was reading the comments. A day or two prior to me talking to the guy we had someone come to our door. I was busy with the baby, my wife in the shower, but the knock was very loud and followed by a quick doorbell ring. I heard this twice and looked out the upstairs window of my baby’s room. I could tell it was a sales person, couldn’t see his face, but was annoyed with such a forcefull knock that I just ignored… Also swore I heard someone yelling(probably him calling out my wifes name like others mentioned above.)
Hi! I just graduated from Purdue University and started working for American Income Life, AIL, the company that provides these kits through the West Agency branch in Indianapolis. I wanted to reassure families that the Child Safe Kits are not a “scam”. But yes, we are a 100% Union insurance company. We protect families on their worst days, from the free Child Safe Kit mobile app, to long term financial protection for families. When you request the Kits, it lets you know what to expect in terms of a licensed agent getting in touch with you regarding the Kits as well as seeing if there is anything else we can do to help your family. We’re a group of really nice people with real feelings and families and I really love my team that I work with. We are so much fun, if I do say so myself. We usually only work with Union members, but we allow one time access to our company for folks who are interested and request the Kits. You’re 100% allowed to change your mind or decline a visit for the Kits, but just tell us that on the phone so we know to take you off the list. We’re just going our jobs. Also, we never take your children’s information for the Kits, we do not need them to even be present. If a company ever says they need your kids info for the Kits, then that is not us. We walk you through the app, and you fill out the Kit once we leave. Again, like someone mentioned, we are licensed agents who all have to undergo background checks and pay $200 to take our state exam. If you ever want to contact us with questions you can call your local branch (agency) and ask to speak to an agent or managing agent. For example, my agency is the West Agency in Indianapolis, and our company is AIL. I just want to put some worries to rest because I’m a good human! I work with great people! I don’t want anyone to feel worried or afraid about this company, because we do genuinely care about our clients and families. We’re not selling vacuums and shoe cleaner to people, we help protect families. I just want to be the biggest positive advocate for this company: we are good people!
I also work for AIL. I’m in the Phoenix, Arizona location, and we also care very much about the families we work with. I know that is the way AIL is across the board. Important information, and safety tips are given to families in order to bring awareness and education for both children and families as a whole.
I lost my job during the pandemic and studied to become a licensed health & life insurance agent. As a mom of a 24-year-old I was horrified at what I HAD NOT done for my daughter. As soon as I was licensed I got my daughter a policy with a GIO. I had to go to the police station to get finger prints made and have a background check to become an agent. I know about the value of Insurance now. It’s what rich people have for their families that helps them stay rich. It’s what keeps a roof over a families head and food on the table when a parent dies. Not many people in lower to middle income families have someone explain insurance to them. AIL fills that gap. AIL works with unions and offers the Child Safe kits in order to provide an ENTIRE family care program to a family. Everything they offer is about PROTECTING families. There are many no cost benefits and there is the OPTION to purchase life insurance. EVERY person at AIL that I’ve met is about protecting families.
I haven’t done this for long .. just several months. But, you should really know what you’re talking about and do some research before bashing AIL. They are a legitimate company, rated A+ Superior with the Better Business Bureau.
They are offering a one time shot for people to receive UNION benefits. Not offered to everyone – and they are pretty awesome benefits! I’m setting my friends up with the no cost benefits because they are all hooked up with insurance.
What’s worse than a scam? Spreading fear and mis-information!
It is a shame that scams do exist. And it is a shame that we live in a fearful society. But worse, we live in a society where child safe kits are needed. They WILL make a difference if a child goes missing. And insurance will make or break 2 generations of your family.
I signed up to get a free McGruff kit and they have called me 24 times since then. I was having a bad day yesterday and they called at the wrong time. I told the lady to quit calling me I wasn’t interested, and she actually started yelling and saying then don’t order a free kit and was extremely rude. I’ll be answering all calls from this point forward and recording conversations and creating documentation for possible legal action.
Okay, I’m still on the fence about this product. I’m a teacher and have a school aged child, so I’ve seen this before and even signed up once and, like many others, got a little freaked when someone started talking about coming to my house. I wondered if I was falling victim to some sort of ulterior motives. I either ended up ignoring the calls enough or might have told them I wasn’t interested-I can’t remember at this point. Anyway, I didn’t get it.
Now today, my mom sends me some link for “free stuff” and says it’s legit-I decide to check it out because my thrifty ass is hard pressed to pass up something free.
I’ve been here and elsewhere reading facts, opinions, and comments about the kit and this is my thought on the process. I think the main company is a legitimate one and many of the employees likely have good intentions at heart, however, the company and its employees need to recognize that people don’t appreciate pushy sales tactics-regardless of how valuable you personally consider the information or product to be. If the company really wants to do good and people at ease with the validity of their products, they need to immediately re-evaluate how they do business and communicate with their clientele so they can ensure peace of mind over a worried 21st century parent where ransom ware attacks and data breaches are all too common.
I know this is a pretty old article, but a few years ago I picked up an information brochure at a local community event. I figured if law enforcement specifically recommended this what could go wrong?? Two hours. They absolutely would not leave my house. At a quarter to 9, after being asked repeatedly to leave around my kids overtired tantrums, they finally handed us the child safe kits. They harassed us by phone for months after. I threw the kits away, totally pissed and beyond angry at our “law enforcement” for pushing a sales agenda on us under the guise of “keep your kids safe, x number of kids in Middletown go missing every week etc”
We didn’t even go to the next Night Out event. When you are trusted community /civil service members, you don’t use your position and parents fears to push scam and pyramid scheme paraphernalia and companies. That was total BS *rant over*
Additionally, I’m super sorry to see so many “agents” on your form trying to insist it’s not a scam. Whether or not it’s legal does not have a lick to do with whether it’s a scam. Pyramid schemes, sales games, order this and level up, multi-level marketing…. it’s all legit and it’s all a game to get more money. Here they are saying things about how we’re refusing people with tips on how to help protect your gold. Yeah no, two hours held hostage by a guy with a name tag to get free tips isn’t protecting my child, it’s using my child to get me to buy something and that’s what makes it a scam. They may be fully legit insurance, doesn’t matter.
I agree with this comment so much. The agents have no problem lying to clients about the type of insurance that they offer either. They make it seem like you’ll be covered no matter what, but the fine print stipulates it has to be an accident for the benefits to pay out. They harrass people for appointments and then harrass them for their contacts to keep their business going. The agents are lazy and gullible, most are unwilling to admit as much. A simple Google search tells you all you need to know about this mlm.
I also work for AIL. You should always read what you sign up for, in the letter or email you recieved. It clearly states that you will be contacted by a licensed agent to explain how to fill it out, and to see if you qualify for permanent insurance benefits. The same benefits offered to the unions like the police, firemen, nurses, and over 40,000 others and associations. The kits are free, I’ll send you as many as you need. We now use zoom to meet with you and don’t come to your door. If you care enough to get this kit for your children, you should at least care to see what the insurance benefits look like and if they make sense then get them why not also protect them. We never know what could happen to us or when. Don’t wait until you don’t qualify or die. That’s irresponsible!, protect your family and their future, or don’t the choice is yours..
So I am an American Income Life Rep. Yes they are free and yes we will show you option for life and supplemental health. Do you have to buy to get the child kit, no. Some reps are pusher than others, since we only get paid if we sale a policy. Otherwise, we work for free. I understand the reluctance to hear a sales pitch, but you are receiving a product for your time. So free monetary, but you pay for it with your time. It gives us practice at our trade. I give all the freebies for people’s time. If you do get into one of these calls with AIL ask about the free 2,000 AD&D, Will Kit/Family Info Guide, & Discount card. If you give up your time, get everything out of it. In a sense, you are getting paid with products for your time.
From another AIL Sales Rep…
This is no scam because you are getting something for free. It is also true that the use of the McGruff/Child safe kit will reduce the amount of time it takes to get an Amber alert out if needed…on average by 6 6hrs. Those are not AIL numbers, those are from law enforcement. More so, going through the steps allows a parent to be far more prepared in general which will also save a lot of time when they are in a state of panic.
And as to the selling of additional benefits, I am also a pastor and I have sat with many families, especially in the past couple of Covid years who wished someone would have talked to them about affordable insurance. Their lives would be a lot better now had they had a little coverage. AIL truly cares about keeping families from ruin during tragic events. And now, all of this can be done virtually so no one has to come to your home.
Child safety is so important nowadays. I hope this kit will be available handy in every town soon.
I’m truly amused because I can see on the website requesting these kits that there is a disclosure saying:
*This is a solicitation for insurance. By submitting your information, you give your consent for a licensed insurance agent from American Income Life Insurance Company, Globe Life Family Heritage Life Insurance Company of America, Globe Life And Accident Insurance Company, Globe Life Liberty National Life Insurance Company, United American Insurance Company, Globe Life Insurance Company of New York, and National Income Life Insurance Company, to use automated or manual technology to call, text, or email you for insurance purposes at the telephone number provided, including your wireless number, to arrange a convenient time to deliver your Kit(s) and explain additional insurance coverage available. This may include phone numbers that appear on any state and/or federal Do Not Call list. You are not obligated to buy or change your insurance to get the Kit. The Kit is provided at no cost to you.
So pay attention to fine print. You are literally mad you didn’t read all the information and then are being horrendous to people who were told to do their job to get you what you asked for.
Due to Covid no one will come to your home now and it’s done over zoom. No one will ask for your child’s personal information that is all stuff you will fill out. Basically they just want you to listen to your options. It’s pretty simple and worth it in my opinion. I have it for my 5 children and you have the option to do a physical kit or an app. I like the app because you can easily update it as your child grows.
I am so glad I found this, it just hit me that this might be a scam after I got a phone call to schedule a Zoom meeting. As I was told “since covid they no longer send someone out to help set up the kit.” another thing that made me think that this was a scam was that she also said, “there is no longer a paper version and everything is kept electronically, so it is at your fingertips whenever needed.” I remember my parents doing these kits for my sister and me growing up. As a mother myself now, I wanted to do these kits too, but could not remember what type kits it was. Until I saw that ad on Facebook, I knew they were free back in the day and didn’t think anything of it when entering my info. I automatically assumed they would be mailing the kits. I have an email specifically for junk mail. When I was signing up it did not prompt me for other ads. If it did then I would not have gone through submitting my info. If they end up showing up trying to sell something I’ll be laughing when my mother opens the door and flips on them as she is annoyed and hates sales people coming to our doors lol. I am going to try to cancel the Zoom meeting if I can’t I’ll be ignoring my phone come Saturday.
Thank you so much for this information!!!!
Amazing Program. I received the child-safe kits that are super important for the safety of my children. also, the access to those union benefits was super helpful.
my representative was Ryan. he was friendly and courteous.
Because of the pandemic our company has suspended in home meetings. We generally do everything through Zoom Video Conference Meetings. Yes, an agent will contact you upon request to provide this among numerous other benefits. We do not practice high pressure sales! Our goal is to ensure that client know what they are entitled to in order to protect their family.
I want to know why you guys are contacting Canadian residents is life insurance isn’t viable for Canadians also why would I want to register my Canadian children with us databases??
Sorry it’s a huge scam…