Water Company Impostors Access West Hartford Home

Two men posing as water company employees gained access to a West Hartford home Friday afternoon.

Police said the suspects told the elderly couple who live in the home on Jessamine Street that they were there to check the pipes to get inside.

The victims told police they were instructed to turn on the water in the kitchen and the basement and remain in place while the crews checked the pipes. The female victim became suspicious when no one came back down to the basement to tell her to turn the water off.

No one was hurt during the incident and it is unclear if anything was stolen.

The suspect that did most of the talking is described as a male in his 30s or 40s wearing a white button-down shirt and dark tie. A second suspect is described as being in his 20s.

A neighbor reported seeing a group of four men, one matching the description of the first suspect, in the area around 2:30 p.m.

The Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) was contacted. They reported that none of their employees were scheduled to be working in the area at the time of the incident.

The MDC said impostor scams happen often. They offer the following information and tips to avoid becoming a victim.

• MDC field employees wear clothing and drive vehicles clearly marked with the MDC logo.
• The MDC encourages customers to stay secure within the home while asking for identification from anyone who comes to their door. All MDC employees have photo identification badges and will gladly display them upon request. The policy is “No Identification - No Entry.”
• If someone comes to your door claiming to be from the water company and you do not have a previously scheduled appointment, do not allow access to your home until calling the MDC Command Center at 860-278-7850, extension 3600, to verify their identity.
• If you have any doubt about the individual’s identity or motives, or authenticity of their credentials, do not allow them entry into your home and call the police.

Officers continue to investigate the incident. 

No other details were immediately available.