Capital Region Water CEO Shannon Williams (right) is joined by PUC Commissioner Pam Whitmer and Bryan Genesse of Capital Region Water at today’s announcement.
A utilities coalition is joining forces with the state and with law enforcement organizations to help prevent robberies caused by people posing as utility workers.
The Keystone Alliance to Stop Utility Imposters today said it will work to battle this type of fraud in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC), Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association and Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association.
At a press conference at the Capitol rotunda, the alliance also declared June 8 to 12 to be “Utility Imposter Awareness Week” in Pennsylvania.
Across Pennsylvania, thieves have gained access to residents’ homes by posing as utility workers, according to a statement from the group. Once inside the home, the imposters typically divert the resident’s attention by sending them to another floor while they rob the home.
“We haven’t had any utility imposters in our service area, but as part of our commitment to be community focused and proactive, we want to keep it that way,” said Shannon Williams, CEO of Capital Region Water. “Capital Region Water’s CReW rarely, if ever, needs access to a customer’s home without an appointment. When they do visit a home, they will have proper identification, a uniform with Capital Region Water’s logo, and will travel in a vehicle that is also branded with our logo
Williams added that, if customers want to confirm that the staff in question works for Capital Region Water, they should call 888-510-0606. If someone feels unsafe, they also can call 9-1-1.
The Keystone Alliance to Stop Utility Imposters formed to educate consumers on how to protect themselves via a new public awareness campaign with print, broadcast and online media advertisements.
“The PUC shares the concerns of utility providers and law enforcement and supports the need for greater consumer awareness about utility worker imposters,” said PUC Commissioner Pamela A. Witmer. “We are happy to join the participating utilities in this important effort as they strengthen their outreach on safety and continue to build strong relationships with their customers.”
At the news conference, the Keystone Alliance to Stop Utility Imposters unveiled its media campaign aimed at informing consumers about the illicit practices of utility imposters. For example, the coalition’s ads inform customers that impersonators are not easy to spot. Homeowners are advised that before letting any worker into their house to always check for a company-issued photo ID.
“These criminals typically prey on seniors and use a variety of excuses to enter and steal from the home. But if homeowners know what to look for and how to protect themselves, we can not only prevent this crime but also catch and prosecute these thieves to the fullest extent of the law,” said David J. Freed, Cumberland County District Attorney.
The coalition’s campaign materials were designed by Meinert/Mashek, a Pittsburgh-based agency. In addition to television and radio public service announcements, the member utilities will distribute the newly created communications tools among their customers to raise awareness.
“We’re glad to be part of this alliance and help alert homeowners about these imposter schemes. Take the time to examine the ID badge whenever someone from a utility company arrives at your home. Be safe, stay vigilant and if you have any suspicions about the individual’s identity, call 9-1-1 immediately,” said Dane Merryman, executive director, Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association.
The resolution also should serve to highlight the issue of phone scams, said Christopher Cardenas, PPL Electric Utilities’ customer services vice president. In those cases, thieves target customers with a false claim they are behind on their bill and will have service shut off if an immediate payment is not made with a pre-paid debit card.
