Men Pretending To Be From Water Dept Scam Newton Residents

NEWTON, MA — Newton police are warning residents about a man they say pretended to be a water department worker to get into the home of an older couple on Langley Road Wednesday and used that guise to steal from them.

Police are on the look out for the man and are reminding residents not to ever let anyone into their home without knowing for sure who they are. Something similar happened in Newton earlier this year and last fall. Related: Man Pretending To Be From Water Dept: Newton Police

City officials say the only time an employee of water and sewer division will come to your door is in the event of an emergency, a previously scheduled appointment or from a loss of water from the metering system. And before a scheduled visit, someone will call you from the billing office at city hall.

Newton employees will have a City Of Newton Identification badge with the employee's picture on it and clothing that identifies them as someone from Newton Utilities or DPW.

Also, the employee will be driving either a yellow or white vehicle with the City Of Newton seal on it and every city vehicle will have the telltale blue municipal registration plates. The car will be parked in front of the house. If you do not see this vehicle, complete with town logo, police advise you not to let the person into your home.

The Langley Road couple called police Wednesday to report someone had stolen a large sum of money from them.

The couple, described as elderly, told police two men in their 40's or 50's, wearing similar gray jackets knocked on their door and said they were from the water department. One of them showed an ID that may have read something like "Metropolitan Water Department." The couple said it looked like the two were wearing uniforms, and believed them.

The men asked the couple to turn on the water on the second floor and in the basement. While one of the men was with a resident in the basement, the other asked to come downstairs to the basement, too.

After about 15 minutes, the two men left. The couple didn't notice a vehicle. It wasn't until one of the residents went up to the second floor that she discovered a significant amount of money was missing and called police.

The couple told police that the week before someone else had come to their home and offered to do work on their roof. They paid a cash deposit, but the person never returned.

"A similar description of that subject fits one of the suspect's in the larceny," said police in a statement. Alert: Waltham Police Warn About Fake Home/ Roof/ Chimney Repair Workers

Police described one of the men as about 6 feet tall and having dark hair. The second man is described as about 5 foot 8 inches tall with a stocky build.

"The City of Newton Water Department will only come to your home on a scheduled appointment," police said. "Before letting any utility worker or person(s) into your home, call that utility service or police to verify their identity."

If you're in doubt about whether someone is really who they say they are police advise you call them at 617 796-2100. In the event someone is trying to force their way into your home they remind residents to call 911.

If anyone has any information regarding the incident, police ask you call 617 796-2104 or use the "Anonymous Tips Line" at 617 796-2121.
RELATED:

• Man Pretending To Be From Water Dept: Newton Police (Oct. 2018)
• Police Log: Man Posed as City Contractor in Possible Scam (Dec. 2018)

• 2 Newton Residents Scammed Out Of Money (Feb. 2019)
• Man Pretends To Be From Water Dept, Newton Police (Feb. 2019)
• Alert: Waltham Police Warn About Fake Home/ Roof/ Chimney Repair Workers

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).