In February, a burglar posing as a San Diego Water Department employee went into the home of an elderly couple claiming he was checking on a problem with their plumbing and needed to come inside to check their faucets. While he was distracting the victims, a second man entered and stole cash and jewelry from the bedrooms. They both left on foot and no vehicle was seen.

This is a reminder to everyone that employees from the San Diego Water Department asking to enter your home should be in uniform with a badge or identification. They will be driving a vehicle with city decals and will never engage in door-to-door sales or bill collection. Keep in mind, water quality samples will usually be taken from outside and if they do need to enter, an appointment will be made. Unless an appointment is made, a water department employee will almost never have reason to ask for entry.

Even if they are inquiring about a problem that you have noticed, and even if you have talked to someone at the department about it, don’t be afraid to ask them the details of the problem or how they knew your home was even having a problem. You may not know what the correct answer is, but the employee should answer with some certainty and degree of knowledge.

For more information on how to protect yourself from criminals posing as water department employees, visit http://www.sandiego.gov/water/operations/imposters.shtml

If you have information regarding this crime please contact the San Diego Police Department Eastern Division at (858) 495-7900 or San Diego County Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.