Deputies are North County families about a scam involving water department imposters who tell you they’re helping you but are really ripping you off.
San Diego County Sheriff’s Department deputies in San Marcos say a man posing as water department worker and an accomplice used the scheme to steal jewelry, cash and other valuables from a woman who was home alone in unincorporated Escondido.
One of the men told the woman he worked with the water department and needed to investigate contamination on her property and insisted she follow him outside to the spa to continue the bogus inspection.
Meanwhile, a second man entered the house and took $60,000 in cash and jewels.
Investigators say the thieves were gone in 15 minutes. It took the woman another hour to realize she'd been ripped off.
The victim told the investigating detective the imposter may have been wearing a uniform. No other description was available.
Deputies are now urging residents to question strangers at their door and, most importantly, check credentials or call a neighbor over to be a second pair of eyes.
