“Water Department” Scam
February 25, 2010
A Message from Boston Police District E-5
Two accounts of people claiming to be employees of the Water Department in order to gain access to residents’ homes have been reported to District E5 this past Monday. The Community Service Office would like to inform residents of the instances; as well as provide safety tips to help prevent community members from becoming victimized by this crime.
Incident Descriptions:
On Monday February 22nd, 2010 at 2:00pm a resident of Walworth St. in Roslindale, Ma. reported that 4 white males, approximately 30 and 50 years of age, approached their home and stated that they were employees of the Water Department. The individuals stated that they needed to enter the home to check the water due to a water main break. When the suspects entered the residence they cut the phone lines and removed $1,500 from the home.
On the same date, at 2:30pm, 2 residents from Cornell St. in Roslindale, Ma. stated that 2 white males approached them at their home stating that they needed to check their water pipes. The residents asked for identification, which the suspects would not provide, so the owners asked them to leave their property.
Safety Tips:
The Community Service office would like to advise residents to be very cautious when letting individuals into their homes. If you have not received a letter or some sort of notification of work that is to be done on your street and/or services will require a person to enter your home then we advise you do not answer the door.
We recommend looking for proper:
- uniforms
- name tags
- work vehicles
If you ever question the validity of an individual who approaches your home, CALL 9-1-1 immediately.
Contact Us:
You can help make your neighborhood safer. If you know anything about a crime that has happened, or a crime that could happen, call CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1 (800) 494-TIPS or text the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463). The Boston Police Department is interested only in your information, not your identity. Your tip is 100% anonymous.
Please call the E-5 Community Service Office
@ 617.343.4564 if you have any questions or concerns.
If you have any information pertaining to this incident please contact the
Area E-5 Detectives @ 617.343.4566
Comments
Got something to say?
Loading ...
