A Dallas utility company is warning people to ignore signs being hung on doors across the city that read, “Water Update.”
Dallas Water Utilities (DWU) released a statement informing its customers of scammers leaving notices on doors that claim to be from the City. The notices ask customers to call 817-369-8101 for additional information about the “water update.”
However, the number printed on the letter is not associated with DWU, which can be reached at 214-651-1441.
As it is likely a scam, DWU advises everyone to be vigilant and not to share any banking or personal information with anyone claiming to work for Dallas Water.
The statement went on to explain that unless asked to do so by the customer, DWU never takes water quality samples for testing from inside the home.
Furthermore, if a City worker were to come to a customer’s home, the statement says that they would be wearing a uniform, driving an official City motor vehicle, and carrying a City photo ID badge, which customers should ask to see.
Officials urge customers that if a false solicitor approaches their home, they should immediately contact law enforcement.
In 2022, Dallas police received more than 2,500 reports of identity theft, credit card fraud, and other related crimes, according to the City of Dallas Open Data crime analytics dashboard.
Residents have been faced with several potential scamming threats across the metroplex, some involving the impersonation of public agencies, as seen with the “water update” notices.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the Dallas Police department released a statement warning residents about a similar scheme to collect personal information from victims in November.
The statement said, “The Sheriff’s Department has received numerous phone calls regarding an individual that has been making calls claiming to be a lieutenant with the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department. This person places calls from a pre-paid cell phone with a 972- area code and gives the name of either Lt. Cliff Hale or Lt. Chris Harold.”