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The Elm Avenue woman said the thief came to her door at 3:40 p.m. and “showed her some paperwork leading her to believe that he worked for the water company,” Detective Lt. Andrew McGurr said.
“She allowed him into the residence to check the meter and left him unattended while he was in the basement,” the lieutenant said.
After he left, she discovered the safe missing and called police, he said.
Such scams are all too common, police say.
SEE: Water company imposter steals Fort Lee widow’s cash, credit card, jewelry
Authorities urge residents never to open their doors for people who claim to be utility workers. Instead, they urge people to ask for identification before calling the utility company they say they work for — or, better yet, local police.
They also suggest that adults with older parents talk to them about these crimes and provide specific instructions of what to do.
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