Missouri American Water is advising St. Louis area residents on how to spot a water company imposter after recent reports of people posing as water company employees trying to access area homes.

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Residents in Ladue, Creve Coeur and Brentwood have all reported being approached by men who said they were water company employees. They are using excuses to try to enter residents' homes.

Brentwood police chief Steve Disbennett said the suspected thieves come to the door and ask to be let in to read a water meter, then when the homeowner is distracted, they steal items from the home.

Although no incidents have been reported in Town and Country or Manchester, Town and Country police recently issued a warning to residents to be on alert for the water company imposters. 

(Read Previous Story: Police Warn: Watch For People Posing as Water Company Employees)

Ann Dettmer, Missouri American Water external affairs manager for St. Louis and St. Charles, said the company has contacted police departments in Sunset Hills, Creve Coeur and Ladue. She said she hadn’t heard that it had spread to Brentwood, but they will contact Brentwood police now.

She explained how to tell if someone at your door is from Missouri American Water.

She said any Missouri American Water employee that comes to a home for a service call will have a uniform with a Missouri American logo on it. She said a construction crew member might not, but they all have an identification badge.

She also said they never come to a house unannounced asking to test water, and that most water meters are outside houses.

“In some homes there are indoor water meters, but that’s a rapidly decreasing number," she said. "People that have them know about them, and we work with them to schedule readings."

“The key thing is ask to see identification, and it will be a Missouri American Water identification badge,” she said. “They will also be in a Missouri American Water vehicle. So if you don’t see those two things you should call us and possibly the police.”

Residents should call 911 if they think they are dealing with one of these imposters.

In Town and Country, they can also call the West Central Dispatch Center at 314 737-4600, if it's not an emergency.

In Manchester, contact the Manchester Police Department at 636-527-9200.

Anonymous tips on the burglary can also be called in to St. Louis Regional CrimeStoppers at 866-317-TIPS (8477).