Greenwich Police Warn of Water Company Scam

Greenwich Police are warning residents to be wary of workmen posing as water company employees who actually are looking to burglarize homes while distracting residents.

Police Lt. Kraig Gray said the fake workmen are targeting elderly residents in Greenwich, Stamford and Darien. “It’s the old water company scam with a man is knocking on an elderly person’s door trying to get into the house to a water test,” Gray said.

While the resident is distracted, someone else will enter the home and take “easily portable highly valuable items,” Gray said.

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On July 16, an elderly Cos Cob resident had such an encounter with a man who she initially let into her home. But after becoming suspicious of the man described as having an olive complexion and speaking with an accent, the woman told him to leave. Gray said nothing was taken in that incident.

In Darien, a similar incident also was reported to Darien Police on July 16.

“Do not allow them into your house. Water company employees wear a uniform and have company identification,” Gray said. “Expect to be challenged … have them provide the identification and expect to contact the utility if they don’t have it. Then call the Greenwich Police Department.”

Aquarion Water Co., which serves this area, advises, “before allowing anyone into their home or business for maintenance, especially when no appointment has been scheduled. Aquarion advises that residents refuse entrance into their home without first seeing photo identification.”

“Aquarion Water Company employees follow strict protocols when entering customers’ homes and businesses, which include showing the customer an Aquarion photo ID,” Charles V. Firlotte, Aquarion President and CEO, said in a statement. “We also encourage any customer who is unsure or has concerns to call our Customer Service Department.”

The Aquarion Customer Service can be reached at 1-800-732-9678.

Photo credit: Barbara Heins.