Munster Police Warn Of Distraction Scams
Since early June, the Munster Police Department has responded to several calls for service in reference to reported distraction scams and thefts.
During these incidents, male suspects reportedly identified themselves as either being from the water department, needing to check the home’s water system due to recent weather issues, or advising that they had work to do in their backyard. While the victim is being distracted in a back room of the home or in the back yard, a second suspect enters to steal items. No one was reported injured during these incidents and during one of them a resident locked the suspect out of her home after feeling that the situation was suspicious.
Residents should stay alert for these types of scams which usually target senior citizens and involve suspects pretending to be utility workers or town officials who are investigating an emergency situation involving the resident’s water or power supply. These suspects will often wear hard hats, reflective vests, or false identification to make them appear to be legitimate utility workers and will also carry two-way portable radios at times to communicate with an accomplice.
Residents are strongly encouraged to keep their exterior doors closed and locked at all times, including storm doors when present, and to speak with unknown visitors through adjacent windows. Residents should also keep overhead garage doors closed and locked especially if your garage connects to your home and to carry a key and cell phone with you while working outside so that you can keep your home secured and report emergencies or suspicious activity when necessary.
Please call 911 to report suspicious individuals on your property right away and never allow strangers into your home who you did not call personally for home service or repairs.
