ENGLEWOOD ­— One day last year a pleasant, well-dressed young man walked into Beverly Hess’ framing business on Dearborn Street and offered her a deal that was, literally, too good to be true. After losing thousands of dollars and counting, Hess says she’s learned her lesson about dealing with uninvited salespeople.

“I will never purchase anything from someone who just walks in my door or calls me on the phone,” said the veteran entrepreneur, who has been in business for nearly 25 years.