The resident, who wants to remain anonymous because she is concerned about her safety, said the teenager looked "well-groomed and behaved very personable," while pitching his book-selling scheme to fund a baseball trip for his team.

The teenager also flashed a professional-looking identification card as a convincing tool, she said.

The woman, who made out a check for $33 to United Power Sales Inc., or UPSI, believes she was duped. When she looked at the receipt the teenager had not put down the name of the book; the receipt only said "child" as the title.

After comparing notes with a neighbor who had given the same young man $66, the Willow Glen residents opted to stop payment on the checks.

A few days later, the Lupton Avenue resident contacted the Better Business Bureau of Silicon Valley to obtain more information about UPSI. Better Business Bureau of Silicon Valley said it can only forward her complaint to the Atlanta bureau because the business is located in Georgia.

During the last 36 months, the Atlanta bureau's reliability report lists 19 complaints regarding UPSI that mimic the Willow Glen homeowners' experiences. According to the Atlanta report, representatives pose as neighbors or students when pitching their book sale scheme.

"This kid has a smooth line," the Lupton resident said.

The woman is not alone in her experience. Residents on Constitution Drive, Dry Creek and Raleigh roads, Janis and Gerald ways, Prevost Street and Newport, Glenn, Curtner and Fairview avenues report similar scenarios.

Male and female teenagers have canvassed these streets posing as neighbors to sell books or magazine for $33 to $66 under the ruse that these purchases will benefit the seller's baseball or soccer team. Some residents have given small cash donations.

Several neighbors refused to buy books after catching the teenagers lying about where they live or giving false family names.

When contacted, UPSI employee Caroline (who refused to give her full name) said that UPSI legitimately sells books and magazines, which it will donate to any requested nonprofit agency.

She added that it can take up to 120 days to receive the purchase; however, if a consumer is concerned, he or she can exercise the three-day cancellation privilege.

She also said that United Family Circulation--the parent company--processes orders for UPSI, Ultimate Empire Sales and Xtreme Marketing Inc.

News agencies across the country have reported similar incidents relating to these organizations since 2002.

San Jose police Lt. Stan Faulwetter of the financial crimes unit said the book-and magazine-selling operation could be legitimate, but the teenagers are misrepresenting themselves.

The San Jose police licensing and permits unit often issues permits to companies who transport vanloads of teenagers from other states for door-to-door selling, Faulwetter said. This is prevalent during the summer. The permits, however, are only given after clearing a fraud background check.

Faulwetter encourages residents to ask for each solicitor's permit. Residents who do not receive their purchased items or cannot confirm the transaction with the charity should file a report with the police, he said.

San Jose police Western Division Capt. Richard Fairhurst advises residents to form a neighborhood watch group through the police's community services crime prevention unit. The unit educates neighbors on the types of scams common in the area.

This possible scam has left one resident near Dry Creek Road and Meridian Avenue feeling "stupid and duped," while others have chalked up the experience to another lesson learned.

"A lot of people work hard for their money and there's a lot of people who want to separate you from your money," Faulwetter said. "It's unfair because it makes all the legitimate people look bad, too."

To file a report with the San Jose Police Department, call 311. To file a complaint by mail with the Better Business Bureau call 408.278.7400 for instructions, or visit www.bbb.org to file a complaint online.