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For Immediate Release
January 26, 2017

Customer Alert: Board of Water Supply Impersonator

Water leak claim used as pretext to gain entry to home of senior citizen

HONOLULU – The Board of Water Supply (BWS) is alerting the public of individuals claiming to be BWS employees in order to gain access to the homes of customers. In a recent incident, a Kailua resident was contacted by someone requesting to check for a leak in the resident’s back yard. A male showed up at the home in a black truck with no BWS markings, in non-BWS attire, and did not possess the proper BWS credentials.

The BWS reminds the public that, if you are approached by someone saying he/she is from the BWS, all personnel involved in official BWS activities will be properly credentialed: wearing official BWS attire with the BWS logo, driving BWS labeled vehicles, and carrying an official City and County of Honolulu badge, with the agency identified as the BWS. See attached photos.

More photos of official BWS attire and vehicles can be viewed on the consumer alert page at: http://www.boardofwatersupply.com/community/news-and-updates/consumer-alert. Additionally, the BWS does not conduct leak detection on customer property nor inside the residence and does not schedule appointments outside its regular business hours of 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. Residents who want to confirm the validity of an individual claiming to be a BWS employee may call the BWS at 748-5000 or call the Honolulu Police Department at 9-1-1 if they are suspicious of an individual’s credentials. Customers may also call the BWS at 748-5041 to file an additional report.

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A photo is attached for your consideration and use. The photo is courtesy of the Board of Water Supply.

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Contact:

Kathleen Elliott-Pahinui
Information Officer
Honolulu Board of Water Supply
Phone: (808) 748-5319