Just like all of us who have been suffering from cabin fever this winter, the scam artist also looks forward to being able to get out into the sunshine and ply his trade. One such warm weather scam is people claiming to be Utility workers knocking on doors of consumers, informing the homeowner of problems in the area, and that they need to check inside the house for the particular fault. Many times these scam artists work in teams, and once inside one will distract the homeowner, while the other disappears to “check for the problem”. Only instead of looking for a problem, he causes one by gathering jewelry, cash, or other cartable objects. They also look for personal information to be later used in identity theft.

These scam artists will look like the real thing. They will be dressed in uniform, often with an ID badge from the utility they claim to be from. Although it looks real, the ID was made on a computer using the logo of the utility and a passport size picture of the crook. The scam artist is betting that the homeowner will not know what the actual companies ID looks like, and most of the time they are right.

To prevent being taken in by the fake Utility worker scam you should follow these rules:

• Never allow strangers to enter your home (Even if they have identification from the company they claim to represent).
• Ask the Utility worker to wait outside while you call the company they are from. Don’t ask them for a number to call, but always call the number on your bill or from the telephone book (You can never be sure the number they give you will be genuine or is it to an accomplice ready to answer with the utilities name).
• If it is after hours and you cannot reach the company to verify if the person is telling the truth, tell the stranger to come back when you can talk to the company and verify who they are.
• If they continue to insist on entering your home dial 911 and ask for help. If they are real then they won’t be afraid of the police, if they aren’t they’ll leave your door in such a hurry they’ll leave skid marks.

Fred L. Goldenberg is a Certified Senior Advisor and the owner of Senior Benefit Solutions of Michigan. He is also a founding member of the Senior Resource Alliance of Northern Michigan.