Alert
People are impersonating water officials in East Palo Alto
In recent days, Veolia has received several reports of one or more individuals claiming to be water officials in order to gain entry into residents’ homes to “test” the water. These people may then scare or pressure residents to install expensive water treatment equipment.
If someone visits your home claiming they need to test your water, do not let them in. Veolia water company employees do not work inside customer homes, and they will never seek to enter your home.
Common Tactics Used by Impersonators:
Unsolicited Visits or Calls:
- Scammers may show up at your door or call, claiming to be from the water company, and say they need to inspect your water system or check for issues like leaks or contamination.
Fake Water Tests or Inspections:
- Some scammers offer “free” water testing or claim that your water is contaminated. They may then pressure you into buying an expensive filtration system or “repairs” that are unnecessary or fake.
Unauthorized Entry:
- The scammer might ask for access to your home, claiming they need to inspect your plumbing, check water lines, or fix an urgent problem. Once inside, they might steal valuables or personal information.
How to Protect Yourself:
Verify the Identity of the Employee:
- If someone claims to be with your local water company, ask to see official identification. Legitimate employees from Veolia will always wear clothing with our name and logo, drive a marked Veolia vehicle, and carry a Veolia identification card.
- Call Veolia directly at (650) 322-2083 to verify whether the person is actually from the company and if any work is scheduled for your address.
Do Not Give Personal Information:
- Never give out personal details like Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, or payment information to someone who comes to your door or calls unexpectedly.
Do Not Pay Immediately:
- If someone claims you owe money or tries to pressure you into paying immediately, take a step back. Do not pay in cash or through gift cards. You can contact Veolia at (650) 322-2083 to verify whether your account carries any balance, and to confirm authorized ways to pay it.
Trust Your Instincts:
- If something feels off or you feel uncomfortable with the situation, do not let the person into your home and ask them to leave.
- You can also ask the person to return later while you verify their identity, or you can contact local law enforcement if you feel threatened.
Look for Red Flags:
Be cautious if the person:
- Doesn’t have official identification.
- Demands cash payments or unusual methods of payment.
- Is aggressive or uses scare tactics.
- Doesn’t provide clear details about the issue or service being performed.
Report Suspicious Activity:
- If you suspect that someone is impersonating a water employee, report it immediately to your local water utility provider and law enforcement. This helps prevent other residents from becoming victims of the same scam.
- Veolia is working with the East Palo Alto Police Department to be aware of potential scams and protect the public.
By staying vigilant and following these precautions, you can protect yourself from falling victim to fake water employee scams. Always take a moment to verify the identity of anyone claiming to represent a utility company before taking action.
