Police warn Rolling Meadows residents about water scam

Rolling Meadows police are warning residents about a scam where a caller tries to rob senior citizens by posing as a water utility worker, Deputy Police Chief Dave Scanlan said.

"These callers are preying on elderly residents by posing as city employees in order to gain access to a home. It is a scam," Scanlan says. "The city's public works department schedules service calls only if residents contact them first. We urge residents to call the police if they receive these, or any other, suspicious calls."

Five residents recently received phone calls from someone who claims to be a city utility worker who needs to schedule an inspection of their home's water quality. The caller also asks a series of questions, including if the resident is a retiree, Scanlan said.

Police believe these five events are related to a series of thefts and attempted residential burglaries that took place in November 2008. The incidents involved an unknown offender who tried to enter a residence by claiming to be a utility or water department employee. Once inside, this person created a diversion to distract the resident while other offenders entered the home and stole property.

Residents who believe they have been targeted by this scam should call 911 immediately. Anyone with information that may help the investigation should call (847) 255-2416.