[ SECRET POST #3357 ]

[case]

⌈ Secret Post #3357 ⌋

Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.

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Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 04 pages, 078 secrets from Secret Submission Post #480.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.

Comments

Freaked out

[(Anonymous)]

So, I got a call a little bit ago from my mom, who got a text from a friend of hers who heard from her son about some supposed scam where armed burglars will pretend to be from the water or electric company, even wearing the uniforms, and claim that you need to let them in to do something legitimate, but then they rob you. The son lives really close to me, but he didn't say if it was supposed to be in this area, or if it was something he'd just heard about in general, or what, so I'm kind of freaked out right now.

I know, it sounds like something that belongs on Snopes, but I can't seem to find anything about it online and I'm worried. I mean, I'm definitely not going to be answering the door for anyone who appears to be from the water or electric company (I never answer the door for people I don't know anyway) but still.

Re: Freaked out

[(Anonymous)]

Any legit company should notify you in writing before showing up at your door. Don't open your door to any strangers who turn up unnanounced. Call the utility company to verify WHO was sent WHERE and WHY, and if the utility company says they didn't send anyone, call the police and report an attempted home invasion in progress.

Re: Freaked out

[(Anonymous)]

I wouldn't be surprised. I live in the city and I always have to look out for shit like that.

Re: Freaked out

[(Anonymous)]

This actually happened in my city a few years ago and prompted the energy utility to institute photo IDs for all their employees. I did some contract work for them for a bit and had an ID, too. If people claim to be from such-and-such, ask for an ID. Also consider what vehicle they show up in. Where I live, the energy utility people usually drive around those big trucks that can lift utility poles into place, or else big commercial grade pickup rucks with those big metal storage things mounted in the bed.

I actually have had the energy people show up unannounced because they made a mistake and told my landlady the wrong day. They showed up a day earlier than they told her and she hadn't called me to tell me yet. It can happen unexpectedly but still be legit. You need to be cautious, though. Ask for ID and don't let them get you to leave one of them unsupervised.

Re: Freaked out

[(Anonymous)]

It's possible. Basic scams like this can be very effective because often people don't have enough time to think or question. You can protect yourself by:

1) Knowing exactly who your electric, water, gas, etc. company is and what their customer service number is.

2) Not answering your door unless it's someone you know or are expecting.

3) If someone shows up claiming to need access inside your house, call your company's number (not any number they offer you, obviously) and ask them if the person at your door is their representative. Do this without opening the door.

If a company actually needs access to your house, they're not just going to send some dude to knock on your door and needing access to your house is highly unlikely.