Fake City Inspector Scams Elderly Livermore Couple

Livermore police are reminding residents to be suspicious of uninvited guests after an elderly couple was scammed and had jewelry stolen by someone who pretended to be a city inspector.

The incident happened on April 9 at about 6:20 p.m. on the 2900 block of Waverly Way.

A man came to the door of the elderly couple wearing an Edison Electric shirt and had an identification tag around his neck that read "city inspector." He told the couple he worked for the City of Livermore and told them work was going to be done around their home.

The man then went with the couple to their backyard and explained there was going to be coyote traps set and landscaping work around their house.

While the couple was distracted by the fake inspector for about 20 minutes, at least one other person went into the couple's home and stole jewelry and cash.

The couple saw two men, one being the fake inspector, leave in a white SUV. They couldn't provide any more details about the suspects, but Livermore police said they don't believe any City of Livermore employees were involved.

No other similar incidents have been reported since the home burglary, but in the past, suspects have pretended to be water inspectors, roofers, landscapers, and construction workers stating that there was some type of emergency in the neighborhood and needed to access the residence to check on its safety, police said.

"All residents are advised to be suspicious of anyone who comes to their door uninvited," Sgt. John Hurd said. "The police department asks that community members with elderly relatives, friends, or neighbors share this information with them to educate them on this recent scam."