It has been reported that there is a new Utility man scam...
Here is the scam...A scammer rings your doorbell or knocks on your door posing as a worker of the local water/utility company and states that he needs to check your pipes to make sure they are not freezing or some other type of problem that winter brings...while you escort him into your basement or where your water pipes are located, another person enters your house and goes through your things looking for valuables, while you are being distracted.
8 Tips on preventing these Scam Artists from ripping you off
- The Utility companies employees have names badges...if you have any doubt call your local utility company before letting them get it...don't trust a number that they give you...they could have a friend that is working with them.
- Tell them to come back at anther time
- Call 911
- Look for the utility truck outside
- Don't let anyone that you don't know inside your house, unless you have a pre-set appointment
- Don't let their creative story influence you to let them in your house...remember they are con artists.
- Just because they know your name doesn't mean that they didn't find it in the phone book or went through your garbage to get it
- Trust your instincts and if all else failed call your local utility company or 911...you can never be to sure...if it smells like a rat, then it probably is a rat.
Let your friends and love ones know about this...don't just assume they already know this information!
REMEMBER: ALWAYS CALL THE POLICE BECAUSE JUST BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T GET IN YOUR HOUSE, DOESN'T MEAN THEY WILL NOT GET INTO YOUR NIEGHBOR'S HOUSE!!!
