THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, July 21, 1994                TAG: 9407210552
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B05  EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT 
DATELINE: NORFOLK                            LENGTH: Short :   35 lines

PHONY UTILITY WORKERS ARE REPORTED IN NORFOLK

Three men posing as Department of Utilities employees have been knocking on doors in the Brambleton and Berkley sections saying they're checking for water leaks.

But, according to officials, the men are phonies.

The men, who drive a large white truck similar to those used by utility workers, tell homeowners they want to check the plumbing to see if they have a refund coming.

What the men would do if they are given access to the house is not known, since no one has reportedly let them in, Department of Utility spokesman Craig Ziesemer, said.

``This thing is not really new,'' Ziesemer said. ``Periodically people come up with ways to get into other people's homes.''

Officials speculated the men would either rob the house or try to trick the homeowners into giving them money.

Utilities workers wear uniforms, have city identification tags and drive white trucks with the blue city seal and the words ``Department of Utilities'' on the side.

Most importantly - a real Department of Utilities worker would never ask to enter a home, Ziesemer said. All their work is done outside.

``If someone comes to your house and says they work for us, you should tell them to go away and call the police,'' Ziesemer said. by CNB