FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: June 8, 2012 9:18:04 AM PDT
IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR CUSTOMERS: Beware of Impostors Posing as Utility Service Workers Call 1-800-DIAL DWP for Verification of Employment Before Allowing Access to Property LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) cautions residents to beware of impostors posing as utility personnel making service-related house calls. These impostors seek to gain access to residential property in order to steal valuables from the occupant. LADWP customers have reported recent incidents of “distraction burglaries,” wherein the impostors work as a team: one diverts the attention of the resident by taking them outside or to another part of the house, while another searches the home for valuable items to steal.
LADWP asks all customers to call the Department at 1-800-DIAL DWP (1-800-342-5397) to verify the worker’s identity, employment and purpose of visit before granting access to any part of their property. Employees will present their Department-issued IDs and give their name, employee number and supervisor name to customers at the time of visit and anytime upon request.
“Distraction burglary is an important issue for us but the good news is, this form of victimization is easily preventable,” said Patrick Findley, Director of LADWP Security Services Division. “The more our customers know about it, the less likely it is to happen, so help us spread the word among your family, friends and neighbors.”
All LADWP employees have ID cards and field employees wear uniforms and drive Department vehicles, both of which prominently display the familiar LADWP logo seen at the top right corner of this document. Additionally, LADWP employees typically do not appear at customers’ doors unannounced. To remain safe, customers should not open their doors to anyone claiming to be a utility employee until the worker’s identity, employment and purpose of visit has been confirmed.
The public should always report any criminal incidents to the Los Angeles Police Department.
LADWP officers are on watch 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. To report suspicious activity to the Department:
- call LADWP Security Services at (213) 367-3373 or (213) 367-9111, or
- email SecurityServicesWebNotification@ladwp.com, or
- visit www.ladwp.com and click Security Issue under Contact Us.
To view and print a distraction burglary awareness flyer in English and Spanish, please click here.
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For more information contact:
Joseph Ramallo
LADWP Public Affairs
(213) 367-1361
Joseph Ramallo
LADWP Public Affairs
(213) 367-1361
