‘The year of the scammer’

Thieves pose as utility workers; town offers safety tips

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After phony utility workers scammed Wantagh and Seaford homeowners, Hempstead Town leaders and New York American Water officials called for residents to watch out for fake water department employees and offered local folks safety tips. 

The Nassau County Police Department reported that groups of people either attempted to enter or successfully stole cash and valuables from homes on Sarah Drive, in Wantagh; on Lincoln Street, in Seaford; and in the neighboring communities of Levittown and Bellmore throughout December. Town Supervisor Anthony Santino, Councilman Gary Hudes, Councilman Anthony D’Esposito and Brian Bruce, president of New York American Water, held a press briefing at the town Water Separtment in East Meadow on Jan. 3 to discuss these incidents and how to prevent them from happening again. 

According to an NCPD press release, the first crime of this kind occurred in Wantagh on Dec. 19. At about 4:30 p.m., police said, three Hispanic men who claimed to work for the Water Department entered a home on Sarah Drive after one of the suspects showed the homeowner his identification. Police said that the men told the victim that they “needed to check the water meter and sinks to determine if the water had iodine in it after a neighbor became sick.”

Two of the men went into the basement while the third allegedly went upstairs, where he stole cash and checks from a bedroom. The suspects were in the home for about 30 minutes before fleeing the scene on foot. 

A similar incident occurred in Seaford on Dec. 28. Police said that a white man and woman, wearing reflective vests, told a homeowner on Lincoln Street that they were representing a remolding company. The resident became suspicious of their intentions and asked the pair for identification. The two fled the scene, police said. 

Detectives ask anyone with information about these crimes to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at (800) 244-TIPS.  All callers will remain anonymous.

At the press conference, Santino said that criminals posing as Water Separtment workers also burglarized Levittown and Bellmore homes last month, stealing cash, checks and other possessions. Calling the trend alarming, the supervisor urged residents to take extra precautions to ensure that they do not become victims. 

“Particularly now, at the onset of the new year and after the Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanza season, people tend to have new things in their home — whether it’s a new smart TV or a stereo system or jewelry or expensive gift cards,” Santino said. “This is the time when those who are out there to prey on people are trying to gain access to your home. One of my New Year’s resolutions is to stop these thieves by alerting neighbors to this issue.”

New York American Water serves Wantagh and Seaford, along with dozens of South Shore communities. Other neighborhoods, such as Levittown and East Meadow, have water supplied by the town. 

Both town and NYAW workers are required to wear uniforms and drive cars and trucks that clearly display their respective logos, Santino said, in addition to showing official identification to any resident they approach. He added that all instances in which town Water Department employees require access to a home are preceded by a telephone call from town officials to arrange an appointment.

Describing the recent scams as a very serious matter, Bruce urged all NYAW customers to call either the company or police if they are suspicious of anyone who comes to their home and claims he or she is a utility worker. “The safety of our customers and our employees is our number one priority,” he added. “We urge all of our customers to take the time and examine the photo identification tag whenever a New York American Water employee arrives at their home or business and to report any suspicious claims to the proper authority.” 

Santino suggested that residents keep phone numbers of their utility companies near the front door so they can contact officials to verify why any urported utility worker needs to enter their house. The Town Water Department — consisting of Bowling Green Estates, East Meadow, Levittown, Uniondale, Roosevelt Field and Lido-Point Lookout districts — can be reached at (516) 794-8300 on weekdays and (516) 794-8181 on weekends. NYAW customers should call (877) 426-6999, officials said. 

Saying that, “2016 ended as the year of the scammer,” Hudes — who represents sections of Wantagh and Seaford — expressed extra concern for senior citizens. He asked residents to check in on their elderly neighbors. 

“When you see them talking to people you haven’t seen before, walk over and talk to them and see that they’re not being taken advantage of,” he said. “We need to be more aware of our surroundings and make sure that our neighbors and our communities are not becoming victims of these scammers.”