Someone at your door wants to test your water? ‘Do not let them in,’ SLO County agencies warn
A pair of San Luis Obispo County agencies issued warnings to residents to be on the lookout for individuals impersonating community service district employees and claiming that the district’s water is contaminated.
According to a scam alert published Monday, the Nipomo Community Services District received multiple reports of one or more individuals claiming to be district employees to gain entry into residents’ homes to test the water.
The impersonators advised Nipomo CSD customers not to use water without treating it first, followed by trying to scare or pressure residents to install expensive water treatment equipment, according to the scam alert.
“If someone visits your home claiming they need to test your water, DO NOT LET THEM IN!” the alert read.
The city of Paso Robles issued a similar release Monday afternoon concerning a seemingly similar scam tactic.
According to the release, individuals were reported in the Lana Street area knocking on doors and claiming to sell water treatment devices “from the state.”
According to the Nipomo CSD alert, residents should verify the identity of any individuals claiming to be district employees, who can be recognized by the logo on their uniforms and their marked Nipomo CSD vehicles bearing California exempt license plates.
Residents should not give out personal information such as their Social Security number, bank account numbers or payment information to anyone who comes to your door or calls claiming to be from the District, according to the alert.
Nipomo CSD customers should not make any payments to a district employee at their home, as they are not permitted to accept or solicit payments at your residence, online, via phone call or text.
Like the Nipomo CSD, the city of Paso Robles warned residents not to provide personal or financial information to door-to-door solicitors, and to request information and verify the solicitors’ claims by contacting their water provider.
Any suspicious incidents should be reported immediately to the Nipomo CSD at 805-929-1133 and the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office at 805-781-4540. Paso Robles residents affected by the scam should contact the Paso Robles Police Department at 805-237-6464.
