Cactus Village Community

Imposters Pose as City Workers

Jul 07, 2003

The Phoenix Water Services Department has received several calls reporting that individuals claiming to be city of Phoenix employees are asking to enter homes "to check the pipes," or perform other services. Homeowners were robbed in two of the instances.
The incidents occurred in the vicinity of 20th Avenue and Monte Vista Road, 19th Avenue and Missouri Avenue, 89th Avenue and Indian School, and 38th Avenue and Hazelwood Street. The victims reported that the suspects were wearing white or blue uniforms.

Employees of Water Services do not enter residences to check pipes, water pressure or to perform other tests. All employees carry photo identification badges. Most field employees also wear city uniforms that include the city bird and drive cars with city identification painted on them.

The people posing as city workers may work as a team, with one person distracting the customer while the other imposter steals valuables from another part of the house. If individuals posing as Water Services employees ask to enter a person's home, the customer should contact the Water Services Department at 602-262-6251 to check the alleged employee's identity. Of course, customers should not hesitate to contact any city department to check the identity of people claiming to represent the city of Phoenix.

Customers also can contact the Phoenix Police Department at 602-262-6151.