Crystal telling residents to beware of fake municipal employees
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Crystal residents are being told to be careful even though one report of a man posing as a city worker to gain access to a home has turned out to be false.
Police and city officials are still investigating one case in which a man allegedly tried to gain entrance to a residence by posing as a city official who needed to read the water meter, said city manager Anne Norris.
Norris said the city is taking it seriously and is reminding residents not to let anybody into their homes unless they can be positive of their identity. That means asking to see a city-issued photo ID before allowing any employee to conduct inspections or perform services.
An alert was issued earlier this month after the city got two calls of potential fraud. One turned out to be false, but a second is still under investigation, Norris said.
In that case, a man posing as a city worker showed up at a residence to inspect a water meter while a babysitter, not the property owner, was home. It’s not clear if he gained entry.
Norris said Crystal employees only inspect water meters by appointment and when the property owner or adult tenant is present.
Anybody who sees suspicious activity is asked to call 911 or city police.
