Don’t Get Scammed By a Fake Utility Worker!
June 3, 2024Every year there are news reports of Lehigh Valley residents who have been targeted by criminals claiming to be utility workers. Just this April, Lehigh Valley Live reported on a scheme in which two men would knock on doors claiming to be utility workers. Police said that after the fake utility workers gained entrance, one distracted the residents while the other stole valuables.
Sometimes scammers will ask to check a utility panel or a meter. Other times they claim they need to check water or sewer lines, or take a water sample. Sometimes, they’ll say they’re collecting on overdue water bills and demand cash. While the homeowner is distracted, they or an accomplice steal money or valuables.
Don’t be fooled: LCA employees ALWAYS have an ID, and they never collect money at your door. Here are five tips to help you spot a scammer posing as an LCA employee:
Did you request service from LCA?
Unless there is a true emergency (such as a major water main break or sewer backup), LCA service technicians usually visit customers only upon request, most often with a confirmed appointment.
Lehigh County Authority occasionally conducts door-to-door water service line inspections, but we notify affected customers well in advance.
Our vehicles, like the one in the accompanying photo and in the main picture, above, all have the distinctive Lehigh County Authority name and logo on the side.
We will occasionally visit a property without an appointment to investigate a malfunctioning water meter, but we will always carry ID.
Follow the other tips, below, to identify a legitimate LCA employee and avoid being scammed by a fake utility worker.
What time of day is it?
LCA service technicians work during the hours of 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Any visits by LCA employees to your property after hours or on weekends would be due to an emergency or upon your request. Anytime someone shows up at your property outside of these hours and claims to be from LCA, it should be a red flag about a fake utility worker—call us right away to verify.
Are you behind on your water bill?
LCA service technicians may visit properties without a confirmed appointment to turn water off for non-payment of your bill. If you have paid your account in full, it is highly unlikely an LCA employee will need to visit your property unannounced. And if we are visiting to turn water off, we don’t knock on doors, ask to come inside, or visit customers to demand payment!
Always ask for ID!
LCA crew members wear uniforms with our logo and carry a company-issued photo ID that you can ask to view, like the one in the accompanying image. Our employees will gladly allow you to inspect it upon request.
Call LCA to Confirm!
Even if the technician shows ID, if you’re still not sure, or something seems off, contact LCA’s customer service department to confirm the employee works for LCA and the reason for his/her visit to your property. To reach LCA, call 610-437-7515 for Allentown customers or 610-398-1444 for suburban customers. Call us if you have any concerns that you’re being targeted by a fake utility worker. Your safety is important to us.