Women impersonate Water and Light workers, demand cash

Two women impersonating Columbia Water and Light employees knocked on the door of an elderly man’s house and demanded that he make a cash payment or they would shut off his utilities Friday night, a spokeswoman for Columbia Water and Light said.

“All Water and Light employees that are out in the field have uniforms and a photo ID with their name on it,” said Connie Kacprowicz, the public information specialist for Columbia Water and Light.

A major tip-off that this was a scam is that Columbia Water and Light service workers do not accept cash payments because it is a liability for them to walk around with a lot of cash, Kacprowicz said.

“They don’t shut off utilities in the evenings or weekends. Only Monday through Friday 8 to 5,” she said.

Anyone with information or questions about this incident or similar incidents should contact the Columbia Police Department.