Police warn of scam artists posing as utility workers
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
A man posing as a Comcast employee allegedly scammed Chattanooga residents out of at least $10,000 by promising he’d connect their cable television.
The man, who was arrested June 16, needed money for a drug habit, police said. He had a list of names, addresses and phone numbers of those he planned to target.
He also had a Comcast key that unlocked the exterior cable box. Authorities said they don’t know how he obtained it.
DON’T GET SCAMMED
* Keep doors and windows locked, even if you’ll only be out for a short time.
* Request identification from utility representatives.
* Remember that home improvement companies rarely solicit door to door.
* Never pay in cash; use a check to keep a record of a transaction.
* Beware of come-ons such as, “We just finished a job around the corner and had extra materials to offer you at a discounted price.”
* Call police immediately if you notice someone unfamiliar or acting suspiciously.
Source: Chattanooga Police Department
Chattanooga police caught the alleged scammer, whose name has not been released, after suspicious residents on East 26th Street called Comcast and then police.
“He was saying he could do odds and ends just to gain access to their homes,” Detective Moreland Wilson, a fraud investigator, said at a news conference Tuesday.
Since the end of May, Chattanooga police have taken at least 10 complaints about suspicious-looking people going door-to-door and offering services for a fee, police said.
Often, one person speaks to a resident at the front door while another circles the house, looking for goods that can be stolen later, Detective Wilson said.
Local utilities spokespeople at the news conference gave tips on how to know whether a worker or contractor is legitimate. Often a uniform, company vehicle or identification badge show that workers are who they say they are. And companies have specific policies for employees and contractors.
People need to recognize the signs of scam artists and call police or utility companies when they grow suspicious, said Capt. Ken Neblette, who oversees the criminal investigation division.
“Your instincts are your best guide on something like that,” Capt. Neblette said.
