The City of Oak Ridge is urging local residents to stay vigilant following reports of unauthorized solicitors falsely claiming to be affiliated with local government and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).

According to city officials, individuals representing a private company have been approaching homeowners, claiming they are partnered with Oak Ridge and TVA to offer grant-funded home upgrades. The city clarified on Thursday that the company involved has no official connection to municipal operations and is strictly prohibited from soliciting on its behalf.

What Residents Need to Know:

• Know Your Rights: Property owners have the right to demand that solicitors leave their property immediately. By law, solicitors must comply as soon as requested.

• Displaying Signage: Residents can display a “No Solicitation” sign at their residence. To be effective, the sign must be clearly visible from the street; once properly posted, solicitors are legally barred from approaching the home.

How to Report Incidents

If you have concerns or wish to report suspicious solicitation activities, you can contact the city through the following channels:

• Online: oakridgetn.gov/report

• Phone: (865) 425-3400