(Photo by IntangibleArts)

DC Water customers beware: there’s a scam afoot.

According to a message sent out to neighborhood listservs from the DC Water Office of External Affairs, several customers have been getting calls saying a person from the utility would be visiting their home to “check on the quality of their water.” DC Water apparently hasn’t made any such calls.

“This is likely someone trying to impersonate a DC Water technician and wanting to gain access to homes,” the message reads. “If you receive a call from a person claiming to be from DC Water asking to visit your home to check the quality of the water, please do not share any personal information or allow them access to your homes.” They’re asking customers to contact DC Water at 202-354-3724 if they get such a call.

DC Water spokesperson Vincent Morris says the utility would very rarely go to anyone’s property without the customer initiating the visit. If a DC Water worker were to arrive at someone’s door, he says, they should be driving a DC Water vehicle and carrying an ID badge. Customers can also always call the customer service line to verify whether someone really works for them.

Scams impersonating utility workers are common. Back in 2016, DC Water sent out an alert that someone was calling claiming to be the water services company and asking for credit card information.

“This is probably just one individual trying to gain entry into houses for no good,” Morris says. He says the summer months are when these scams tend to amp up for all utilities, including Pepco and Washington Gas.

“We know that this happens with some regularity in all parts of the city (and other cities too), so we encourage customers to share information and be vigilant,” Morris told DCist.