When the gas man cometh…make sure they are not an impostor
This in via e-mail from Columbia Gas of Ohio:
Columbia Gas of Ohio Warns Against Impostors
Recently there have been reports of burglaries in Toledo by individuals posing as representatives of Columbia Gas of Ohio. The company encourages its customers to protect themselves from individuals impersonating company employees or contractors. To avoid becoming a victim, Columbia offers these suggestions:
-Before you allow a stranger to enter your home, ask to see identification.
-All Columbia employees and contractors carry identification cards bearing their name, photograph and identification number and will be happy to show it.
-If you are not sure about an employee’s identification, or to verify work to be done in or around your home, call Columbia’s emergency response telephone number at 800-344-4077. Representatives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
-Columbia employees understand if customers call to verify their identity. They will not make you feel pressured to let them into your home.
-Most Columbia employees drive clearly marked vehicles that are easy to identify.
-Do not allow entry into your home to people who claim to offer a Columbia refund. Columbia employees never deliver cash refunds or “rebates” to customers’ homes. All account transactions are handled through the mail or at a Columbia Gas customer office.
-Report Suspicious Activity to the Police. If a person claiming to be a Columbia employee does not have proper identification, call the police and then call Columbia at 800-344-4077. Be prepared to give a detailed description of the individual and their vehicle.
About Columbia Gas of Ohio
Columbia Gas of Ohio, with headquarters in Columbus, is one of the nine energy distribution companies of NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI). Serving approximately 1.4 million customers in 61 of Ohio’s 88 counties, it is the largest natural gas utility in the state. NiSource distribution companies serve approximately 3.8 million gas and electric customers primarily in seven states. More information about Columbia Gas of Ohio is available at: ColumbiaGasOhio.com.
I called the police about a month ago because a couple guys were going up and down my street saying they were from a gas company. They wanted to see a copy of my gas bill. It made me very uncomfortable. When I refused the one guy got snippy with me. I’m not sure if the police ever came out to investigate. I just thought it was odd that these people were wearing hard hats and yellow vests to get info from people. Didn’t appreciate the guy getting snippy with me when I refused to give him the info.
April 19th, 2010 at 1:57 pmAlso, the gas company should notify the customer by phone or letter if they are coming to read the meter on a day that the meter is not scheduled to be read. My neighbor was approached last week by someone who said they were from the gas company and she did not let them in. After she told the man she would not let him in, she called the gas company and was told the person was legitimate. By then, the man was gone and he did not get into her house.
April 19th, 2010 at 4:24 pmGet yourself a big dog. People aren’t as likely to get ’snippy’ with you on your property if you’re holding back a 100 pound dog
April 21st, 2010 at 12:05 pm