HARTFORD -- The Metropolitan District (MDC) is advising area residents to be cautious of con artists posing as MDC employees in an attempt to enter homes.

            About 1 p.m. Tuesday, two men claiming to be MDC employees approached a Mountford Street house and told the resident that they were there to check the water pressure. The pair were admitted into the home, and one of the men distracted the resident while the other stole jewelry.

            About an hour later, two men, making the same claim, gained entry to a house on Gillette Street in West Hartford. It was not known if any valuables were taken.

            Local police were notified in both instances.

The MDC today urged people, especially those who are home during the day, to be alert for con artists by noting and following these tips:

·         MDC employees will go to a home to test water pressure only at the request of a customer;

·         MDC field employees wear clothing and drive vehicles clearly marked with the MDC logo.

·         All MDC employees have photo identification badges and will gladly display them upon request.

·         If you have any doubt about the individual’s identity or motives, call the police.

·         If customers have any questions about the identification presented, they may call the MDC’s main number at 278-7850 or the Customer Service Department at 278-0127.

            The MDC, a non-profit municipal corporation chartered by the Connecticut General Assembly in 1929, supplies water and sewer services to eight member municipalities:  Bloomfield, East Hartford, Hartford, Newington, Rocky Hill, West Hartford, Wethersfield and Windsor.  In addition, the MDC  supplies treated water to portions of Glastonbury, East Granby, South Windsor, Farmington and Portland.

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