Utility Worker Scam

Be aware of a scam in which a man poses as an employee of a utility company, distracting elderly women while an accomplice burglarizes their homes. There have been at least three cases locally in 2014.

In one case, two men in a white pickup went to the home of an 84-year-old woman. Later in the day, one of the men returned to the woman’s home and said he worked for Jenkins Construction. He said the company laying pipe in the area, and needed the woman to sign some paperwork.

The woman, who had grown suspicious of the men after her first encounter with them, told the man she had called police and asked them to leave.

In another case, a man between the ages of 35 and 40 driving a late-model burgundy Ford pickup, went to the home of a 72-year-old woman, pretending to be a Georgia Power employee.

The woman told police she and the man stood outside for about 30 minutes discussing the placement of an underground power line. When she re-entered her home, the woman discovered that someone had stolen jewelry and money from her bedroom.

In another case, a white man posing as a water utilities worker knocked on the door of an 86-year-old woman. The man led the woman to her backyard, where he talked about identifying water lines. When he left, the woman found she was missing several pieces of jewelry.

Make sure you know who you are dealing with before you open your door to strangers.  Businesses such as GA Power, Atlanta Gas Light, Comcast, etc. have information on their websites regarding their policies, procedures and uniform/ID requirements.

If you suspect a problem:

• Call the companies local office to verify ID
• Don’t allow the person inside your home
• Don’t go outside the house with the person
• Call dispatch at 706-821-1080 or in an emergency, call 911

Should you have additional questions or need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to ask,