WARNING: Scammers Are Posing as Great Falls Utility Workers at Residents’ Doorsteps

Just yesterday, I shared a story with you about law enforcement shutting down a scamming operation that was targeting the elderly in Montana.

Now, there's another scam taking place but this time it's happening right here in Great Falls, and it has police on high alert.

Utility Scam Plagues Great Falls Residents

As if we need anything else to stress about in life, we now have to be on the lookout for people posing as utility workers with the goal of scamming us out of (presumably) our money or worse, tricking us into giving them access to our private property.

According to a post from the Great Falls Police Department:

A few elderly community members have reported a possible scam attempt happening in Great Falls. Luckily, these residents were too savvy for the scamsters and did not fall for it. Please talk to your elderly neighbors, friends, and family, to make them aware.

Can I just say that I absolutely love that our elderly community quickly realized something was off? These bonehead scammers obviously targeting the elderly underestimated them and now their phony operation is out there for us to look out for.

What is the Utility Scam in Great Falls?

According to the alert from police, the scammers are two guys wearing bright orange vests, walking down the block going door to door telling residents they have leaks and/or broken pipes. Once they share this literal "fake news", they then ask for payment to cover fire "hydrant usage/leaks" or "standing water in their gutters."

ALSO READ: India-Based Scam Operation Targeting Montana Seniors Shut Down

There are just a few red flags with the whole thing and luckily, they're not hard to spot.

First, these scammers don't have a proper uniform or City logo on their vests - dead giveaway. The scammers also "refuse to identify themselves properly" and one of the most obvious giveaways: they don't have a city vehicle complete with an official logo on it.

Officials say that real City utility employees wear neon yellow or blue shirts or jackets and drive vehicles that display the official City logo.

What Should You Do if the Scammers Come Show Up at Your Door?

If you're approached by these low lives, Great Falls police advise that you first make note of their description (bonus points if you have a Ring/Nest/etc. door camera).

Once you politely decline and turn them away, contact the Utilities Department to notify them of the visit and confirm it was a fake at 406-727-7660.

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After you're done calling the Utilities Department, call Great Falls Police Department Non-Emergency at 406-455-8599.

Stay safe and vigilant out there!