Crystral Harrison, Star Writer

THE National Water Commission (NWC) is warning the public to be aware of con artists who are posing as legitimate bill collectors in an effort to extort money from residents using counterfeit water bills.

In a statement yesterday, The NWC stated that they have been receiving reports of such incidents.

"I have heard of reports in Kingston and St Andrew and a rural parish. Last week, we had an advertisement in the media because we felt it was wise to bring the matter to our customers attention," Charles Buchanan, NWC's corporate public relations manager. Buchanan said he had become aware of some of these imposters who have even been dressed in fake NWC work shirts.

In the release yesterday, the NWC advised customers that all bills should be paid at authorised collectorates. "The National Water Commission wishes to advise and remind members of the public that, in the first instance, the NWC only collects cash for payment against customer accounts at the cashier counter at its commercial offices or through the offices of authorised payment agencies. No employee or anyone else is authorised to collect cash on behalf of the NWC on the streets or at customers' premises," the utility company said.

A resident from a community in the Corporate Area told THE STAR that she was recently approached by a man wearing a NWC uniform who told her that her water would be disconnected because she had an overdue balance on her account. She told THE STAR that she went for her bill to prove she was in good standing and the con man left.

"Him claim seh we owe water bill and seh it a go cut off. When we show him di bill him left but other people seh it happen to them to," she said.

Meanwhile, Buchanan said no NWC employee was permitted to collect money on the company's behalf from its customers' premises or in the streets.

"I want to encourage persons to make their payments on time and in full as I am aware that some of these imposters are doing this on the basis that some of these customers are in arrears," said Buchanan.

Buchanan, in the meantime, is urging the public to report any suspicious approach to the nearest police station, 119, or the NWC's Security Department at 929-5430-5.