Fake water meter installers at work in Stouffville
Town issues warning to residents
Yorkregion.com
May 1, 2015
By Jim Mason
Fake water meter installers may be trying to get into your home, Stouffville.
The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville says concerned residents have called the municipal offices about people falsely representing themselves as installers, attempting to gain access into homes by claiming “they need to examine water meters”.
Some of these individuals make false or misleading statements about water quality and/or the mandatory replacement of water meters, the town said in a media release.
They may imply they are working for the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville - but they aren’t.
The town said it:
- does not sell or endorse water treatment equipment for residents using the municipal water supply systems.
- provides safe treated and tested drinking water to residents using the municipal water supply system - meeting, and in many cases exceeding, Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards.
What to do if a sales person shows up at your door
Door-to-door sales people may ask to conduct an in-house water test or to examine the water meter inside the house, while making false claims that the water testing/meter inspection is mandatory. If someone shows up at your door, remember the following to protect yourself from scams:
- Did you request this house call? (Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville staff will not visit without a prior appointment when replacing or upgrading water meters)
- If in doubt, call the Town’s Customer Service Department at 905-640-1900 • Ask for ID! (All Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville employees carry photo ID and have town marked vehicles)
- Don’t feel pressured to sign contracts or papers on the spot (The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville does not sell water treatment devices)
- Never give out your personal information
Protect yourself against scams
York Regional Police have useful information on their website to help residents protect themselves against scams - http://www.yrp.ca/en/crime-prevention/fraud-prevention.asp
Annual water quality reports are available by visiting http://www.townofws.ca/en/residents/water-quality.asp and www.york.ca.
