Town Urges Residents to be Watchful for Thieves Posing as Utility Workers

Town of Hempstead officials are warning residents to be on the lookout for criminals posing as water department workers to gain access to peoples' homes and rob them.

Three such burglaries have occurred in recent weeks prompting the Town Council and the New York American Water Company, which service the areas target, to warn residents and tell them how to protect themselves.

According to news reports and the Nassau County Police Department, two incidents took place in December – one in Bellmore and the other in Levittown. Additionally, a social media post indicated that another incident occurred in Seaford on Dec. 28. In all three of the episodes, thieves posed as water department workers. In the Levittown and Bellmore burglaries, victims were robbed of cash, checks and other possessions.

“It’s alarming to learn that some of our residents are being victimized by thieves who are posing as trusted water department workers,” said Town of Hempstead Supervisor Anthony Santino in a release. “One of my New Year’s resolutions is to stop these thieves by alerting neighbors to this issue and by providing them with valuable tips so they can avoid becoming victims of distraction burglars.”

In the incidents, men dressed as water workers knock on a person's front door and ask for access to the house for various reasons -- checking pipes or meters, making sure faucets are working, etc. Once inside, one person distracts residents while the others search the house and steal.

Residents who encounter such people at their doorstep should contact their water service providers to verify the authenticity of these utility workers. All Town of Hempstead Water Department employees display their official town identification upon arrival and wear clothing with the water department name and logo. Water service personnel who require access to homes drive town or water department vehicles that are equipped with clear town or company identification. And all instances under which town water department employees require access to a home are preceded by a telephone call from the water department to arrange an appointment.

“If people claim to work for a utility company and ask for access to your home, especially without any prior appointment or notification, it’s always a safe bet to contact the utility company directly to verify if they are authentic,” Santino said. “If you are still uncertain, and feel threatened, contact the police immediately.”

"The safety of our customers and employees is our number one priority," said New York American Water President Brian Bruce. "All customers should know that New York American Water service personnel wear uniforms, drive company-branded vehicles and wear photo identification badges with the company’s logo. We urge all of our customers to take the time and examine the photo identification tag whenever a New York American Water employee arrives at their home or business and to report any suspicious claims to the proper authority."

Officials offered other tips to keep in mind for residents who are uncertain about someone at the door seeking to gain access into their homes:

• Do not open the door for someone you do not recognize.
• Look for identification through the window, such as a company ID badge that displays the name, photo and ID number of that person. Most employees will also be wearing a uniform and driving a company vehicle with its logo clearly displayed.
• Most utilities will never ask for a payment at time of service.
• Know that even if you are past due on your bills, your utility company will send you notifications in writing before services are shut down.
• If a real meter reader or service technician must enter your home, your utility will provide you with advanced notice of their arrival.
• If you are still unsure, call your utility provider.
• If you experience suspicious activity or feel unsafe, notify the police department.

To reach the Town of Hempstead Water Department -- which services Bowling Green Estates, East Meadow, Levittown, Uniondale, Roosevelt Field and Lido-Point Lookout -- call (516) 794-8300 Monday through Friday, or (516) 794-8181 on weekends or after hours. To reach New York American Water, call (877) 426-6999.

“Remember these helpful safety tips before allowing someone into your home,” said Santino. “I urge residents to beware of these phony utility workers that have been lurking in our communities and to report any suspicious behavior.”

Photo: Google Maps