Green Bay Residents Fall Victim To Water Utility Imposters

A thief allegedly ripped off a 90-year-old woman in Green Bay, WI, late last month by posing as a water utility worker in what appears to represent a wider pattern of crime.

“The man came to her door to say he was from the water department and was working on a leaking water pipe in the neighborhood. She allowed him in, and he instructed her to remove items from under her kitchen sink and to leave the tap open, police said. While she was busy complying, he walked through the house, then left when she wasn't looking,” USA Today Network reported.

The woman said she was missing money afterwards, the report said.

“Workers coming to people's doors should have identification including a business card and phone number for a supervisor who can verify why they are there,” the report said, citing police.

Green Bay police officers say the crime has been recurring for at least six years, according to WLUK. They said they have received 13 reports of this type of crime over the years, and that nearby cities have received similar reports.

“They all have the same method of basically arriving at an elderly person's house in a pair,” said Captain Kevin Warych of the Green Bay Police Department, per the report. “One distracts the homeowner, while the other person steals and burglarizes.”

Green Bay water utility officials are aware of the alleged scam. They noted that workers rarely show up unannounced. When workers do show up, the wear a logoed shirt and hat. They carry an identification card with a phone number that can be used to verify employment.

“I'm very upset they are using our name to pull off crimes,” said Nancy Quirk, general manager of the Green Bay Water Utility.

"We are a public service and for them to use us as a vehicle to harm people, it's sad to me," she said, per WBAY.

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