It’s been a while since I brought up Utility Scams, so now is as good a time as any for a quick recap.

Utility Scams are an example of a distraction scam, and they generally target seniors. These scammers generally work in pairs. One will knock on the door and claim to work for the local utility company. He will claim they are testing something, or fixing something, or there’s some kind of urgent situation that requires the resident to allow him inside the house to do something with the circuit breaker.

While the homeowner is busy with this person in the basement, his partner will enter the home and look around for cash, jewelry or other valuables to steal. After a few minutes of pretending to work on something, the first person will claim the job is done and leave. By the time the resident notices the robbery, the scammers are long gone.

Your utility company should always contact you in advance if there really is an issue that requires someone to enter your house. However, such scenarios are extremely unusual. If someone appears at your door claiming to represent a utility, politely ask to see an ID badge. Regardless of the response, ask them to wait a moment. Close the door and lock it, make sure any other doors are locked, and call the utility company directly if you’re still unsure, or call the police if you’ve got a bad feeling. Do not simply let a stranger into your house on his word.

It’s also not a good idea to let on that you think this person is trying to commit a crime. This is an in-person scam, and it carries risks that aren’t really present with a scam phone call from the other side of the globe. They might just run, but they might not. It’s better to pretend to play along. Most likely they’ll take off as soon as you close the door—the point of most scams is to get in and out quickly. Standing around on someone’s porch in broad daylight for more than a couple seconds isn’t going to appeal to someone who doesn’t want to be seen.