Chilliwack – Chilliwack RCMP are warning the public to be mindful of criminals who pose as BC Hydro utility employees trying to enter your home.
The warning follows calls and social media posts received by police on the evening of Thursday February 16, 2017 from residents in the 45000-block of Creekside Drive to report a suspicious solicitor at their door.
“Police have received complaints regarding two individuals who are going door to door claiming to represent a utility company for the purpose of inspecting household natural gas or electrical heating systems,” said Corporal Mike Rail spokesperson for the UFVRD.
The solicitors are described as a South Asian male, 173 cm (5’8”), slim build, wearing a dark coloured toque, pants, and ski jacket and a Caucasian male approximately 168 cm (5’6”), slender build, and short dark hair. The solicitors wear an identification card worded ‘SAFEGREEN’ or ‘GREENSAFE’ on a lanyard and carry a clipboard with the pictures of furnaces.
First BC Hydro would not operate that way nor would they check out your gas feed. That would be done by Fortis BC. There is a similar scam in Delta, where people are posing as Fortis BC workers.
Here are some helpful tips to protect yourself from these scammers:
- Representatives of recognized organizations carry accredited identification. Request to see their identification.
- Do not leave a stranger alone at an unlocked door
- Should you leave the door to reach for the phone, lock the door
- Do not allow the stranger to enter your home
If you deal with someone suspicious in nature, contact the Chilliwack RCMP at 604-792-4611 or, should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
