Authorities warn about fake utility employees

The caution follows an incident in Greene County in which money was stolen from a homeowner.

CATSKILL, N.Y. » Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. and the Greene County Sheriff’s Office are warning Mid-Hudson Valley residents not to allow anyone into their homes who claims to be a Central Hudson employee unless the person presents a photo ID badge upon request.

On Thursday, a town of Catskill resident let in two men posing as Central Hudson employees and later found one of them had stolen money from the residence, according to the utility and the Sheriff’s Office. The impostors reportedly told the homeowner they were working on a transformer in the area and needed to inspect his circuit breaker panel, Central Hudson said in a statement emailed to the news media.

The Sheriff’s Office said Central Hudson has not been doing any work in the resident’s area.

Residents approached by anyone without proper identification who claims to work for Central Hudson and requests access are advised to call the Poughkeepsie-based utility at (845) 452-2700 to verify the legitimacy of the visit.

“Central Hudson follows strict protocols when communicating and interacting with our customers,” Charles A. Freni, president and CEO of the utility, said in the emailed statement. “Employees and authorized contractors carry photo identification, and will always display it upon request.”

Central Hudson said its employees rarely need to enter a home unless there is a gas leak or the smell of gas is detected.