Community Corner

LADWP Warns of Impostors, Burglars

The department says impostors are posing as service utility workers during "distraction burglaries." Customers are asked to verify utility workers' identities during service visits.

Officials at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power have issued a customer alert that warns of recent incidents involving impostors posing as utility service workers.

Recently reported incidents are "distraction burglaries," where one impostor diverts the attention of the resident while another searches the home for valuable items to steal, according to an LADWP news release.

LADWP customers are asked to call 1-800-DIAL-DWP to verify the worker’s identity, employment and purpose of visit before granting access to any part of their property.

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Employees should be able to present their department-issued IDs and give their name, employee number and supervisor name at anytime upon request during a visit.

"Distraction burglary is an important issue for us, but the good news is that this form of victimization is easily preventable," said Patrick Findley, Director of LADWP Security Services Division in a press statement. "The more our customers know about it, the less likely it is to happen, so help us spread the word among your family, friends and neighbors."

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To report suspicious activity to the Department: 

To view and print a distraction burglary awareness flyer in English and Spanish, please click here.

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