West Seattle Crime Watch: Fake ‘plumber’ scams his way in

Seattle Police are warning of a bogus “plumber” scamming his way into homes – and says one was in West Seattle:

… In five different cases between January 22nd and April 8th, the suspect has approached women – all between the ages of 76 and 91 – at their homes, claimed to work for Fox Plumbing, and then tried to snake his way inside to steal cash, credit cards, and IDs.

In the first incident, the suspect approached a woman at her home in the 4700 block of 25th Ave SW, said he was working at a neighbor’s home, and needed to check her water. The victim allowed the man inside, where he strolled from room to room, turning on faucets before leaving. The victim became suspicious and called Fox Plumbing, only to learn they did not have anyone working in the area. She then discovered the suspect had stolen cash, credit cards and her ID.

The full story, with incidents elsewhere in the city, is here.

4 Replies to "West Seattle Crime Watch: Fake 'plumber' scams his way in"

  • Eric April 15, 2015 (12:20 pm)

    Here’s the description of the guy:

    Police are still working to identify the suspect, who victims described as a white male, between 50 and 60 years old, about 6’0, and heavyset. Police are also looking for any other victims, who may not have reported being targeted by the man.

  • Laura April 15, 2015 (10:40 pm)

    Well this is really creepy. Thanks for the description. I would like to introduce him to my dog when she is riled up when a stranger comes to the door.

  • U. S. Governor [ Disabled ] April 16, 2015 (12:36 pm)

    Have you looked into Bremerton newer construction site for suspects?

  • David Brown April 16, 2015 (1:04 pm)

    Fox Plumbing & Heating has several tips to help you from being a victim!

    • Fox Plumbing & Heating always calls our customers 30 minutes before we arrive at your home

    • We send emails with a picture of your technician to ensure you know who will be servicing your home

    • All Fox Plumbing & Heating Technicians must wear our bright yellow uniforms, and we all have bright yellow trucks with our Fox on the side. If you’re unsure of our logo you can see it at Foxph.com

    • All of our Techs are equipped with state-of-the-art iPads that allow our dispatcher to track where our guys are at all times. If you’re worried about where we are then please call Fox immediately at (206) 767-3311

    Fox Plumbing & Heating is currently working with the Seattle Police Department to bring this person to justice. Please let us or the SPD know if you see any suspicious activity.

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