ICYMI: CT Water Co. Now Emails Pics of Utility Workers to Customers with Appointments

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in the past week. We’re republishing it here in case you missed it:

Connecticut Water Co. wants to make it less likely that you’ll allow into your home a a criminal posing as a utility worker, so the company is now offering to email customers pictures whenever an appointment is made for a home visit.

Here’s how it works, according to a news release from the utility:

“When a Connecticut Water customer calls to schedule an appointment, a customer service representative will ask for an e-mail address and they will then get an e-mail to confirm the appointment and then send another e-mail with a photo of our field service representative is en route to the customer’s premises.”

The utility announced the new policy Thursday afternoon at the Legislative Office Building next to the State Capitol in Hartford. The company started sending the emails last week.

Jonathan Harris, commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, said in a news release sent by the utility that the new policy “will go a long way in helping consumers protect themselves.”

Eric W. Thornburg, Connecticut Water’s president and CEO, said the utility “will continue to explore other measures to communicate to our customers to further protect them from criminals who pretend to be water utility employees.”

8 Tips to Avoid Getting Ripped-Off

Connecticut Water Co. issued this advice to avoid becoming a victim from people posing as utility workers:

1. If you are uncomfortable or suspicious about someone who claims to be from the water company, DO NOT allow them into your home.
2. Connecticut Water Company employees will not ask for or accept any form of payment or issue any monetary credit at a customer’s home.
3. We will accept payments over the phone if you call us, but we will not call and ask you to transfer money to a Green Dot or similar prepaid card
4. Company employees will carry photo IDs and drive vehicles marked with the Company logo. Legitimate employees are happy to show their ID if you ask.
5. Visits to customers’ homes by the water company are scheduled in advance except in an emergency.
6. Our employees do not enter customers’ homes to collect past due bills; or sell utility products such as meters and do not deliver rebates or refunds. We do not solicit water testing services for customers.
7. If someone representing themself as a water utility employee arrives without an appointment, or you are not certain if they are with the water company, do not allow them to enter your home – first call Connecticut Water’s 24 hour customer service at 1-800-286-5700 to verify their identify.
8. Report any suspicious activity to your local police.

Picture courtesy of Connecticut Water Company

________________________________

Get Patch’s Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts