Suspected Swindler Claims to Be DTE Employee

Suspected Swindler Claims to Be DTE Employee
(Waterford Police, Jan. 8, 2021)
Waterford Twp, MI – On January 5, 2020 around 3pm a male subject who identified himself as a DTE Energy employee approached an elderly female who resides on Highfield in Waterford Township.
The resident allowed the male to enter her home when he claimed he needed to shut her power off for a short period.
For the inconvenience of shutting off her power, he stated that DTE would pay her $48.
He placed a $100 dollar bill on the table and asked the resident if she had $50 and they would call it even.
Our resident became suspicious and told the male subject she was going to call her neighbor for advice.
The male grabbed the $100 bill and fled the home. He was described as a white male clean-shaven with brown hair and approximately 35 years old. He was wearing a tan jacket and tan baseball cap. He drove off in a small black car.
Nothing he was wearing identified him as a DTE employee.
If a similar suspect approaches you, do not let him in to your home, also call the police.
An actual DTE employee will have Identification and clothing easily identifying them as a DTE employee.
If you are ever suspicious of someone’s identity as an employee of DTE, Fed Ex, UPS or the Water Department please contact the police department and we will respond to verify their identity.
Remember anytime someone asks for money ASSUME IT IS A TRICK OR SCAM. Also as a reminder, never pay for anything over the phone with a gift card. It is always a swindle and the police are unable to recover your lost money.

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