OAKLAND, March 9, 2014
Beware of EBMUD imposters
East Bay residents should be on alert this week for a criminal in a stolen East Bay Municipal Utility District truck potentially impersonating an EBMUD employee.
An EBMUD maintenance truck (white 2008 Ford F-350, vehicle #896 with California license plate #1285077) was stolen on Thursday, March 6, and spotted at Redwood Christian Church in Castro Valley last night. The stolen truck's contents include an official EBMUD work badge, hard hat, safety vest, tools and other accessories.
Keep your family and home safe and beware of utility company impostors.
EBMUD maintenance employees fixing a leaky pipeline or making other repairs on your block will never ask to enter your home, but they may knock on your door to notify you of a temporary water outage or to ask you to move your vehicle if it is blocking access.
EBMUD employees visiting your home for a home plumbing inspection, water conservation audit or tap water test may ask to enter your home, but these visits are always arranged ahead of time with the homeowner or resident.
If an EBMUD employee is at your doorstep and requests to come inside your home, ask to see their work identification through a window or the door's eyehole and ask what is the purpose of their visit. Employees in the field always carry identification with their name, photo and employee number visible. Many, but not all, are uniformed.
If this visit was not scheduled with the homeowner or resident, or if you feel suspicious, do not open the door; instead please call EBMUD 24 hours a day at 1-866-403-2683 to confirm who is at your doorstep and their reason for wanting to enter.
If you feel you are in danger, call 911.
If you spot the stolen EBMUD truck, do not approach the vehicle or driver. Instead please call EBMUD 24 hours a day at 1-866-403-2683 or notify your local police department.