South River Wants You to Know What Their Meter Readers Look Like, to Prevent Home Invasions

SOUTH RIVER, NJ - As Patch has reported, scams, burglary attempts and other incidents involving people posing as fake utility workers have gotten rampant that the borough of South River is now warning its residents what their water meter readers look like — so they don't let anyone else onto their property.

"The South River Utility Department is familiarizing the public with our meter readers," the police wrote in a Nixle alert. The two current meter readers for South River are Edward Adamski and Nicholas Dulski, pictured below.

"All residents are reminded that South River Water Department and electric utility employees and meter readers always display proper identification," South River police said. "Other legitimate utility (cable, telephone and gas company) employees will all have proper identification and be willing to display it upon request. They will also be able to provide their supervisor’s phone number so you can verify their legitimacy."

Just this past Monday in Sayreville, someone posing as a fake JCP&L electric company employee tried to gain access to a home: The man knocked on the front door and asked to be allowed into the home to check the fuse box in the basement. When the homeowner refused, the man drove off in a white Mercedes SUV.

In Woodbridge, police say they are getting reports of men and women claiming they are from the water company, electric company or phone or cable and want to come inside. "DO NOT LET THEM IN!!" Woodbridge PD warned in a widely-shared Facebook post.

The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office said similar incidents have been reported in Monmouth County.

South River police said:

If you are ever in doubt about someone's legitimacy or observe anything suspicious, please contact the South River Police Department at 732-238-1000 or 9-1-1 immediately. DO NOT WAIT TO CALL. Try to remember as much as possible about the description of the suspect(s) and any vehicles they may be utilizing. Be prepared to provide this information to the dispatcher when calling.

Related Patch coverage:

Multiple Scams Involving Fake JCPL Employees Reported

Woodbridge PD Warns of Door-to-Door Incidents