Greg's Corner

Water Scam Alerts Sweep the Nation

By Greg Collier

Across the United States, a growing wave of scams targeting residential water systems has prompted warnings from officials and consumer protection agencies. These schemes often center on fabricated claims about water quality and typically involve aggressive tactics to gain access to private homes or collect money under false pretenses.

The backdrop to these incidents is a larger trend of fraudulent activity involving utility services. The Federal Trade Commission and other consumer protection bodies have repeatedly cautioned the public to remain alert to deceptive tactics involving essential services such as electricity, gas, and water. In recent months, specific attention has shifted to those scams exploiting concerns about water safety.

These scams take various forms. In some areas, individuals have left door hangers at homes claiming that local water is contaminated. The materials often encourage residents to schedule water tests, which are either unnecessary or intended to serve as a pretext for selling expensive filtration systems. In other cases, individuals have shown up unannounced at doorsteps requesting entry to perform tests without providing proper identification or proof of affiliation with a local utility.

These incidents have occurred in both urban and suburban communities, stretching from the East Coast to the West. In one northeastern city, a local resident reported a visit from two individuals who claimed the neighborhood’s water was unsafe and sought access to the home. In another Southern community, residents have encountered door hangers alleging that water in their area was unfit to drink and offering in-home testing by a private company. The utility overseeing that region’s water system stated clearly that the public water supply met or exceeded all federal safety standards, and no such testing was authorized or necessary.

Other regions have experienced similar activity. In the Midwest, residents of a working-class suburb near Chicago have been targeted with printed notices directing them to call a number for immediate water testing. Local officials have expressed concern that the community is being manipulated through fear, particularly given the financial vulnerability of many residents. In the West, multiple cities have reported people impersonating water department staff, including those who arrive in unmarked vehicles attempting to appear official. In one case, residents were falsely promised reimbursement for costly filtration units if they agreed to the installation.

In all instances, authorities urge residents to be cautious and verify any claims directly with their municipal or county utility provider. Official communications from utility departments typically occur through mail or other clearly verifiable channels and never involve unsolicited visits demanding access or immediate payment.

The FTC and local officials continue to remind the public that legitimate utility agencies do not request upfront payments in cash, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or reloadable cards. These payment methods are common in fraud attempts because they are difficult to trace or recover. Individuals who suspect they have been approached by a scammer are encouraged to report the incident to their utility provider, the FTC through its online portal, or their state attorney general.

While these scams vary in method, the objective is often the same, to extract money or personal information by exploiting trust and stoking fear. Awareness and skepticism remain the most effective tools for preventing victimization, especially as these fraudulent tactics evolve. Community education and communication with verified utility contacts are essential in maintaining public safety and protecting the integrity of local water systems.