Gas Company imposters targeting homeowners

LOS ANGELES -- Southern California Gas Co. is alerting customers to be aware of persons who reportedly have recently posed as So Cal Gas employees.According to a news account, the imposters distract an unsuspecting customer by performing "gas leak inspections" while an accomplice burglarizes the customer's home. Gas Company employees carry proper identification when called out to any job, officials said. Customers should verify the employee's proper uniform and identification before letting anyone in the home or on their property. The Gas Company also offered the following tips to residents: *Question anyone who presents themselves as a Gas Company representative *Gas Company workers who perform in-home appliance services, work on gas meters or work on gas pipelines wear uniforms. However, some other employees do not. Always ask for identification before allowing anyone inside the home or on the property *The majority of authorized Gas Company employees will be in uniform with company logo and carry an official employee badge. Most field employees also drive a company vehicle *Most of the time, a Gas Company employee visits a home or business in response to a service request. If no one scheduled an appointment, call the Gas Company before allowing anyone inside *Never leave the house unlocked and unattended. The Gas Company does not ask customers to leave their homes unattended To verify the authenticity of anyone claiming to be a Gas Company representative, call (800) 427-2200.

********** Published: March 08, 2012 - Volume 10 - Issue 47