# Garland Officials Sound Alarm on Impostors Posing as Utility Workers, Urge Residents to Verify Before Opening the Door
Garland city leaders are asking residents to remain vigilant after renewed reports of scammers posing as water utility employees in an attempt to gain entry into homes and steal from unsuspecting customers. The City of Garland Water Utilities Department issued the warning this week, urging customers to stay on high alert and know how to distinguish a legitimate city worker from a con artist.
## A Pattern of Deception
According to city officials, complaints about impostors claiming to represent Garland’s water department surface periodically, and the tactic remains consistent: individuals show up unannounced, claim they need to inspect a home’s water supply, and then use the visit as a cover to rob residents. ,Periodically complaints are received where individuals are posing as city of Garland employees, in an attempt to gain access into the home to rob the customer.,
One of the most common ploys involves fake water quality testing. ,Garland Water customers should beware of anyone requesting access into their home to test their water pressure or water quality., While the scheme may sound harmless, it has already led to real losses for Garland families. In one widely reported incident, ,Garland police warned residents to be on alert after several suspects reportedly burglarized a home after convincing the resident that the water might be contaminated with COVID-19, and while distracted by the alleged inspection, suspects went through the home and pocketed valuables., Police described the tactic bluntly, noting that ,these suspects are using manipulating tactics to take advantage of innocent people.,
## Refund Scams Also on the Radar
Beyond fake inspections, city officials say another version of the scam preys on residents’ hope for a financial break. ,In some cases, impostors have indicated that a resident is due a refund on their account,, using the promise of money back as bait to extract personal or banking information, or to gain access to the home itself.
## How to Tell a Real City Worker from a Fraud
Garland officials emphasized that legitimate city and utility employees follow strict protocols that scammers typically can’t replicate. ,Police continually advise the public not to allow anyone in their home who has not scheduled a visit, noting that all utility and city employees have distinct uniforms, badges and vehicles., Residents are encouraged to always request identification before allowing anyone inside. ,The customer should always ask to see the employee’s City Employee photo identification.,
City officials also stressed that when in doubt, residents should hang up or shut the door and call the number printed on their actual utility bill rather than trusting a number a stranger provides. ,Customers can always call the phone number on their utility bill to ask about their water., Importantly, the city clarified that door-to-door home inspections are simply not part of normal operations. ,Home inspections are not part of Garland Water Utilities operations,, meaning any unsolicited knock claiming otherwise should be treated as a red flag.
Officials also flagged a related scheme involving third-party companies rather than individual scammers. ,The Water Department often receives reports that an internet company has advertised water testing services for customers in North Texas, or that a company is going door-to-door soliciting in neighborhoods., The city says these companies frequently use scare tactics to push unnecessary purchases. ,Companies claiming that drinking water needs to be tested by an outside source are usually trying to sell consumers an unnecessary and expensive filtration system for their home., Officials pointed out that such claims run counter to the facts: Garland’s water system holds the highest possible state distinction, having been ,rated “Superior” by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the highest rating for a water system, indicating that the city’s operation meets or exceeds all state and federal drinking water requirements.,
## Broader Warning Signs From Utility Scam Watchdogs
The Garland alert echoes broader warnings from consumer protection groups about utility impostor schemes nationwide. According to the Better Business Bureau, ,scammers impersonating workers from the water, electric, or gas company may threaten to cut off services unless payment is made immediately., The bureau notes that these scams often spike during periods of extreme weather. ,Utility scams happen any time of year, but will typically pop up during extreme cold or heat events when many people are more likely to need their heat or air conditioning.,
Financial red flags are often the clearest tipoff. The Federal Trade Commission warns that ,scammers will often say you can only pay them by wiring money through a company like Western Union or MoneyGram, using cryptocurrency, using a payment app, or putting money on a gift card and then giving them the numbers on the back of the card., Legitimate providers simply don’t operate that way — a point Garland’s own consumer alerts reinforce for local billing practices as well.
## What Residents Should Do
City officials are asking anyone who suspects they’ve encountered a scammer, whether by phone, email, or an in-person visit, to contact authorities immediately rather than engage further. ,Residents who believe they have been the victim of a scam are asked to report the incident to Garland Police at 972-485-4840., For general questions about water quality or utility billing, the city recommends contacting the Water Utilities Department directly rather than responding to unsolicited calls or visitors.
As scam tactics continue to evolve, Garland officials say the best defense remains simple: verify before you trust. Residents are urged to slow down, ask for identification, confirm appointments through official channels, and never feel pressured into letting a stranger into their home — no matter how convincing the uniform or the story may seem.