Long Beach Police Warn of Bogus Utility Workers

Police in Long Beach have been receiving reports once again of distraction burglars who pose as utility workers and then make off with homeowners' possessions

In a news release Friday, police said the phony employees work in teams. One distracts the resident while another burglarizes the home. Seniors are particularly targeted, according to police.

To keep from becoming a crime victim, police gave these tips:

• Ask utility employees for official identification cards. They are required to show their IDs when requested. They should also be in uniform.

• Utility customers are contacted either in person by a uniformed employee or by the posting of official forms in a prominent location on a customer's property. The form includes a number to call about any scheduled work.

• If residents are ever in doubt about someone claiming to be a utility worker, they can call the following numbers to check whether the person is a legitimate employee:

• Long Beach Gas and Oil – 562-570-2140 – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Long Beach Water Department – 562-570-2300 – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Southern California Edison Customer Service – 800-655-4555
• Corix Utilities (water & gas meter readers) – 562-424-4223

A tip sheet (in PDF format) is attached in the photo box above. Police encourage community members to share the tip sheet with their relatives, friends and neighbors.

Anyone who has been approached by people posing as utility workers are urged to call Long Beach Police Dispatch at 9-1-1 or 562-435-6711 to report the incident.

Have you heard of these kinds of crimes in your neighborhood? Tell us in the comments!