Residents should watch for scare tactics, not let unknown persons into their home
- County Utilities employees do not enter customers’ homes
- Individuals selling products or services are generally required to have a permit
- Contact Consumer Protection or law enforcement to report suspicious activity
Pinellas County Consumer Protection is warning residents about unscrupulous individuals going door-to-door posing as Utilities employees and attempting to sell water system products.
According to a report submitted through Pinellas County’s Doing Things for You! app, an individual posing as a Utilities employee talked his way into a home stating he needed to test the water for ammonia content. He then used scare tactics to try and sell his product.
By policy, Pinellas County Utilities employees do not enter customers’ homes. Last year, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office investigated reports of scammers entering homes under the pretense of working for utilities departments and then stealing valuables. Residents should not let unknown persons into their home.
Consumer Protection advises residents that by state law, individuals that sell, lease or rent consumer goods or services with a price of $25 or more are required to have a home solicitation permit, other than the exceptions listed on pinellasclerk.org. Criminal background checks are required to obtain a home solicitation permit.
The water provided by Pinellas County meets or exceeds all federal and state standards for safety. Therefore, residents should be cautious of the following:
- Unexpected visits and gifts from water companies.
- A salesperson who adds a coagulant (a thickening agent) to their water to solidify harmless minerals.
- Expensive prices and scare tactics.
- Claims of the ability to improve the quality and safety of their water.
To report suspicious activity, call Consumer Protection at (727) 464-6200 or the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office at (727) 582-6200. For questions about Pinellas County’s drinking water, contact Utilities at (727) 464-4000.
Information courtesy of Pinellas County.