I'd be curious to know what exactly these Pinkerton agents said, and if they flashed badges (as other commenters have suggested). My general rule is not to let

I'd be curious to know what exactly these Pinkerton agents said, and if they flashed badges (as other commenters have suggested). My general rule is not to let anyone in who doesn't have a warrant, and I think that still works in light of this kind of tactic. But I hadn't considered the possibility that non-LEOs might fool me/my family into thinking they are LEOs, and that they might not be bound by the same rules regarding tricking someone into letting them enter their home.