ITHACA, N.Y. — The Tompkins County Sheriff’s Department has issued a warning to residents about scammers posing as utility workers in the area.
Police said the people show up at a home and approach the residents as representatives of an unidentified utility company.
The scammers usually wear clothes that appear to be a utility company uniform with a logo on the front and matching business cards.
“It has been reported the subjects will ask to review the homeowners utility bill in an effort to secure a reduced rate for electricity for the homeowner. Once they have reviewed the utility bill the subjects make note of the account number on the bill,” police said in a news release, noting that no utility companies have reported conducting surveys in the area.
Police have recommended the following three steps to take if you are approached by the scammers:
- Decline giving any information and close the door.
- Without making further contact with the people, attempt to get a physical description of them (attire, any vehicles being used, the fake company name).
- Do not provide any account information if contacted about your account by phone. Instead, hang up and contact your local law enforcement agency.
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