Water Shutoff Scammers Visiting Elkins Residences

Elkins, W. Va., June 8, 2021: City of Elkins is warning of a scam targeting local residents. The scam involves imposters knocking on doors, claiming to represent the city’s water utility, and demanding immediate in-person payment to avoid shutoffs. The city has received reports of two such incidents, and police are investigating.

Dan Stemple, a clerk in the city’s Utility Billing Department, says that city employees will never contact residents this way.

“If your account is overdue, you’ll receive a notice in the mail, then an automated phone call,” he explains. “If we don’t have your phone number, we’ll leave a tag on the front door of the property. No city employees ever visit you in person or call you to demand payment.”

If city employees do need to visit a property, such as to access a water meter or perform other work, they will be easily identifiable.

“Any city employees doing that kind of work would be in uniform and driving a clearly marked city vehicle,” says Stemple. “If you have the slightest concern about whether you are talking to a genuine city employee, you can also call to doublecheck.”

If you are contacted by anyone asking for money on behalf of the city, please call 911. To ask questions about this or any other utilities-related matter, please contact the Utility Billing Department:

• cdolly@cityofelkinswv.com; 304-636-1414, ext. 1720
• dstemple@cityofelkinswv.com; 304-636-1414, ext. 1715

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