Prank Callers

ABC reported this yesterday...

If you get a call from someone saying they're an MLGW employee and they need to come inside your home to check on something, hang up the phone.

On Sunday, November 30, 2008, MLGW officials and Memphis Police issued a public safety warning about a man posing as an MLGW worker.

"MLGW does not call you and ask if we can come into your house," says MLGW spokesperson Chris Stanley. "MLGW will only come after you call us and tell us you have a problem."

The MPD issued an alert after a citizen notified cops that someone called him claiming to be an MLGW worker. The caller told the man there was a water main break in his area and that an MLGW employee needed to come into the man's house to check the pipes in his kitchen.

The smart-thinking MLGW customer told the mysterious caller "no thanks" and quickly called the police.

"Look for I.D. badges," says Stanley. "Every employee has a badge. The truck will be clearly labeled with an MLGW logo so you're going to know it's an MLGW employee. And if you have any questions about it, don't let them in your house."

Stanley says legitimate MLGW badges have a smaller logo inside the larger one and there's a reflective hologram-type image on the right side.

Bottom line, he says, trust your gut if something doesn't feel right.

"If you have any suspicions, whatsoever," he says, "call our customer care center and verify that somebody should be out there."

The number to call if you have questions or concerns is: 528-6549.