CVWD employees impersonated by private business

Coachella Valley residents were mailed notices last week, misleading them to think it was an official document from the Coachella Valley Water District. Indian Wells resident, Jacqueline Bradley said it could have been a trap she almost walked right into. “I received a postcard in the mail and i can’t remember exactly the wording on it was but it was certainly indicating it was from our water district,” Jacqueline Bradley said. Bradley received the mailer a week ago, Tuesday in her gated Indian Wells home. The mailer read that her tap water should be tested. Bradley said the mailer looked like an official document from the water district and proceeded to make an appointment. It was that call that made Bradley have her doubts. “The gentleman said are you single or are you married? and I said, I’m married,” Bradley said. “And he said, is your husband going to be home? And I said, yes, he is.” An odd question Bradley said, prompting her to call the C.V.W.D to confirm this was a legitimate service. Bradley said, to her surprise it was not. “We’ve had three calls from several people,” Robert Keeran, Coachella Valley Water District, said. “Saying that they’ve received these solicitations in the mail and that they look like official Coachella Valley Water District Correspondence.” Keeran said any notices water district customers receive will include their name, account information and a specific person to contact. For Bradley, she said the call to confirm with the C.V.W.D. protected her from a stranger entering her home. To keep customers cautious, the water districts said there are a few things they can look out for, “They’ll have an identification card stating they are an employee of the Coachella Valley Water District and in all likely hood they will be in a blue uniform.” In addition Keeran said employees sent out for a water sample will never need to enter the home. The sample is collected from the outside water line or spigot. For more information about Coachella Valley Water Service contact them at (760) 391-9600 or visit their website.