Scammer Posed As Bucks Co. Water Authority Employee: Police

Local police are warning residents of a scammer posing as a Bucks County Water Authority employee who attempted to enter a home under the guise of testing the faucet.

According to police, a resident of Carlin Drive in Upper Southampton reported a man came to her home and claimed to be from Bucks County Water Authority. He falsely told her that there was a gas leak up the road and that her water may be contaminated, police said.

He then said he needed to come in and turn on her kitchen sink faucet for 30 seconds to make sure there was no contamination. He said "failure to allow him to do so will result in a fine," according to police.

The resident did not believe him and asked to see his identification, at which time he quickly flashed his wallet, which had no badge, just his driver’s license, police said.

She threatened to call the police, and he asked her not to. He quickly left in a white, unmarked pick-up truck, police said.

"This was just an attempt to get inside the house to do something illegal or scout the house out for a future theft/burglary," police said.

Police remind residents that they should contact the local police department if they encounter suspicious visitors. "Also never let anybody into your house if you did not call them for an appointment," police said.

Distraction burglaries are on the rise in the area. Similar incidents involving a fake tree company were reported this fall.

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