SAN DIEGO, April 13, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Meter Readers. Service Technicians. Energy-Efficiency Auditors. These are just a few of the San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) employees who regularly visit neighborhoods. Unfortunately, because SDG&E employees are a trusted and common sight in many Southern California areas, criminals may sometimes pose as SDG&E workers in order to gain entry to customers' homes.
Here are some tips on how to verify identification of SDG&E
employees:
-- Does the visitor have identification?
Tip: Every SDG&E employee on company business is required to
carry a photo ID badge.
-- Does the worker have on a SDG&E uniform with our company logo?
Tip: SDG&E workers who perform in-home appliance services, work
on gas meters or work on gas pipeline wear uniforms. However,
some other employees do not. Always ask for identification
before allowing anyone inside the home.
-- Has a service appointment been scheduled with SDG&E?
Tip: Most of the time a SDG&E person visits in response to a
service request. If no one scheduled an appointment, call
SDG&E at (800) 411-SDGE (7343) before allowing anyone inside
the home.
-- Do SDG&E employees ever stop by without an appointment?
Tip: Yes. But whether they are meter readers, collectors,
inspectors or gas service technicians, SDG&E employees always
carry identification.
Still not sure?
Don't open the door! Call SDG&E at (800) 411-SDGE (7343). SDG&E customer service representatives are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to assist you.
SDG&E is a regulated public utility that provides safe and reliable energy service to 3.3 million consumers through 1.3 million electric meters and more than 800,000 natural gas meters. The company's service territory encompasses 4,100 square miles in San Diego and southern Orange counties. Exceptional customer service is a priority of SDG&E as it seeks to enhance the region's quality of life. SDG&E is a regulated subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE). Sempra Energy, based in San Diego, is a Fortune 500 energy services holding company. To learn more, go to www.sdge.com.