Why Did the Man Attempt to Enter a Home by Impersonating a Water Meter Inspector?

Waterworks and Sewerage Office: Always Check Identification

Recently, there have been incidents of individuals impersonating water meter inspectors and attempting to forcibly enter homes, prompting authorities to urge citizens to exercise caution.

According to the Sejong City Waterworks and Sewerage Office on July 9, a case was reported on July 5 in which a man impersonated a water meter inspector and attempted to enter a residential apartment in Jochiwon-eup. It is reported that the resident avoided harm by opening the door only after securing the safety latch. Authorities believe that the act was committed with criminal intent.

At the time, the resident directly raised concerns about the inspection process with the Waterworks and Sewerage Office. Upon recognizing the impersonation case, the office has begun public awareness efforts to prevent similar crimes in advance. Notices warning against impersonation of water meter inspectors have been distributed to towns and districts to assist with incident response and to inform residents.

Currently, official water meter inspectors are required to carry an identification card issued by the city. They must present this ID upon request. In special cases, such as changes to inspection areas, residents are notified in advance about the visit.

Recently, there was also a case in which a company contracted with the Waterworks and Sewerage Office was targeted by someone impersonating the office in an attempt to induce the opening of a bank account. As a result, warnings about impersonation have also been issued to contracted companies.

An official from the Waterworks and Sewerage Office stated, "As impersonation crimes have been occurring frequently, it is especially important for citizens to remain vigilant to prevent similar incidents from happening again." The official emphasized, "If a visitor claims to be a water meter inspector but refuses to show identification or attempts to forcibly enter your home, please report the incident immediately to the Waterworks and Sewerage Office or the police."