And another door-to-door alert: Fake cable guys?

Two door-to-door alerts in one night – this one’s from Chris in the Beach Drive area:

Around 7 pm I responded to someone ringing my doorbell. I was taking a nap and awoke to hear someone trying to open my front door. I went downstairs and found someone outside my front door I talked to the guy (through the door) that said they were with Comcast saying they were here to perform maintenance on my cable modem. I asked him through the door for an ID. He said he left his ID in the truck. I looked through the window and saw three males sitting in the truck. I told him I was going to contact and confirm the appointment. I went upstairs and called Comcast and they said there was no scheduled maintenance scheduled. I went back down stairs to see them peeling out. There were no plates on the truck. The supposed Comcast employee had no id and was wearing a blue shirt with dark blue pants. Neighbors beware!

Chris
On Douglas Place and Beach Drive

We’re following up to make sure Chris called the police – this is definitely the sort of suspicious activity for which they urge 911 calls.

Timothy Clemans June 9, 2009 (11:29 pm)

I’m amazed Chris wasn’t attacked. Four men could do a lot of damage.

Luke June 10, 2009 (12:25 am)

Wow, scary. Chris, can you provide some more details about these guys? What kind and color of truck and what was his descrrption in case we see them cruising the area? Thanks. It’s getting out of control.

B. Duvall June 10, 2009 (1:02 am)

i came homw on Sat. to notice a “cable guy” preoccupied with the air conditioner that was recently installed in my neighbor’s front window. He seemed suspicious due to his street clothes, and the surprise he had when i asked him if he could take a look at my connection (lie)(he said he would have to reschedule for me). He asked me if the neighbor was home. I told him he went to the corner store for a sec., and would be right back.
He almost ran to the van, and took off in a hurry…this was on 37th and fauntleroy….

coffee June 10, 2009 (6:52 am)

Comcast employees also have to have comcast clothing on, or so I have been told by the comcast guy who stops in for coffee. He is a real comcast employee and always in a shirt that has their logo on, in addition to his clear ID badge.

TeresaP June 10, 2009 (8:01 am)

AC units have copper piping which is why he was probably looking at it. The cost of copper piping has doubled in the last couple of years. I am in the industry and we have had several customers have the HVAC unit vandalized.

Me June 10, 2009 (10:07 am)

I’d find a way to stall them for a minute while I got my camera, and then take their picture.

Eric June 10, 2009 (11:26 am)

DETAILS PEOPLE!

Im sure there’s a link around here somewhere on what details you should quickly be remembering when your spider senses are tingling.

Hair Color
Skin Color
Eye Color
Clothing Colors
Height
Car Color
Car License Plate

Repeat it over and over in your head till you can
as fast as you can..

Call 911 or the non emergency hotline

Anyone you dont know on your lawn or your neighbors lawn should have an appointment.

Trust your instincts, be friendly and ask open ended questions if your up for it.

Its good that the suspects are not home invading(yet).

-Chris: Im glad your safe.
-Me: Be careful on escalation.

Don June 10, 2009 (11:34 am)

come on in SUCKERS> meet my 357

JH June 10, 2009 (1:06 pm)

B Duvall, why would you tell them your neighbor wasn’t home? Glad you’re not my neighbor!

Get license plates!

What area does Chris live in?

JH June 10, 2009 (1:07 pm)

Never mind-Chris is in the Beach Drive area. Oops missed that one.

good point June 10, 2009 (1:46 pm)

Forget the clothes even if they are wearing a ‘proper uniform’ – they could steal them from someone’s car. Also same for police officers etc. They steal those too. NEVER open your door to a stranger. Even if its a cop – call 911 and ask if there is a reason for them to be there. Criminals are extremely manipulative.

Thanks for writing into the blog and helping us all be aware.

alki_2008 June 10, 2009 (2:26 pm)

Anyone heard about the census takers that will supposedly be coming around door-to-door? Not sure what the timeframe was for that, but I’d hope they’d be wearing something clearly identifying them as being with the Census Bureau?

jsrekd June 10, 2009 (3:11 pm)

The census takers will carry identification – it’s pretty clear – and a picture of the ID will be (or is) available somewhere – I’ll see if I can track it down.

MercyMe June 10, 2009 (3:17 pm)

We had a census taker arrive on a Saturday midday (about a month ago). Female, carried a visible badge and a well-labeled “U.S. Census” clipboard. She seemed very respectful of our space, kept her distance on the porch, asked a question or two, jotted down data and left.

WTF June 10, 2009 (10:31 pm)

Don, I like how you think!!! Tired of this B.S. for sure. REMEMBER people. Comcast, Qwest, Fuller Brush for that matter, will not show up to your house without a uniform, ID or a reason. If you don’t know why they are there, there is NO reason for them to be.

The T word is always helpful to remember. THINK.

Tee74 June 11, 2009 (2:44 am)

I had a guy with terrible attitude come round at 7 45 pm then hurried me into “no installation” offer with my name, i hesitated then he said “i dont care either way” i slammed the door and went back out where he had a kinkos comcast id and was beligerant no comcast truck but a acura suv…..i told him i had his plates and would call 911 if he continued to goad me…

Sorry, comment time is over.