82-year-old woman scammed, robbed by PWD imposters

NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - She's 82-years-old and angry after two men posing as water department employees entered her Northeast Philadelphia home Monday and robbed her.

"Things were taken out of the drawers and stuff," the victim told FOX 29. "I feel terrible. I feel violated. I don't feel safe anymore."

John Cancelliere lives right next door.

"They just took advantage of her. and it's just wrong," Cancelliere said.

FOX 29 agreed not to identify the woman after police say the alleged imposters came to the victim's home Monday. They told her there was something wrong with her water and they needed to check it.

"We made an error in the pipes or something. Water is coming through your house, something like that he said," the victim explained.

As they entered her home, one suspect went to the kitchen with the victim to turn the water on and off.

"The other person rummaged through her personal belongings inside her house and retrieved a significant amount of cash from inside her house," Captain Sekou Kinebrew said.

"Dirtballs or whatever you want to call them," the victim said.

This despicable crime comes as the police department is renewing its "Be Sure Before You Open The Door" campaign following several similar crimes. Both police and the victim have some advice if someone suspicious comes to your door.

"All you have to do is call 911. We can then link in with the utility providers and find out if in fact someone was dispatched to your block or your house," Captain Kinebrew said.

"Call the police. Don't answer the door. Call the police. Let the police find out who they are," the victim advised.

Neither suspect had a water department badge or a uniform.

Police are looking for surveillance video in the area, hoping to identify the suspects. At least two other similar crimes have been reported in the northeast.