Emmaus Police Department David A. Faust is asking residents to be vigilant against scams.

At the end of April, two males wearing neon shirts introduced themselves to a resident in the 1000 block of Lawrence Drive, Emmaus, as representatives from the water department. They told the resident they needed to check his meter. One male went to the basement while the other remained upstairs. The resident decided he should check with the borough and discovered his phone had been disconnected. He called the police on his cell phone and as the officer responded, neighbors noticed the two males got into a black SUV and sped away. Nothing was removed from the home.

Faust said all water department representatives carry identification and residents should be notified by telephone or mail if entrance to the home is necessary or if work will be done in the area. He said at no time do they just show up. If the resident has caller ID, they should make note of the telephone number of the person calling to determine it is coming from the borough. Residents should call the borough with questions.

For a number of years, Faust said the meters have been placed outside the home so entrance to the home is unnecessary. All borough vehicles will have the seals displayed prominently.

To check with Public Works, call 610-967-1322; to check with the water department, call 610-965-9292.

All solicitors must have a permit from Borough Hall which must be displayed prominently while going door to door. They are not permitted to solicit after dark.

Faust told residents not to allow anyone in the home.

Other recent scams include residents receiving calls a loved one is in custody and needs money wired to be released. Faust said bail money is never handled over the phone, it is handled through the courts in person. Do not do wire transfers or send checks. Another scam is mail fraud where the resident is told they have an inheritance or unclaimed money waiting. If they send a fee, the money will be released. Faust said this is a scam and residents should not send the money.

Faust said many of these scams originate in Africa and Canada and once the money is sent, it is near impossible to get it back.

He also frowns on sending money to solicitors on the phone. If you truly want to donate, Faust says to get an address and take the check there.

Faust also warned of construction scams where workers say they are working down the street and can complete work on your house since they are in the area. Never give a deposit for construction jobs and don't allow contractors in your home. Often residents give deposts and the contractors often don't return. Verify contractor information, permits and identification.