The San Diego County Water Authority has issued a scam alert, urging folks to guard against faux facets of trust.

These scams aren't new, but they're persistent, surfacing now and again like unwanted leaks. The latest warnings point out that while Carlsbad Municipal Water District (CMWD) employees take water samples, they seldom need to cross the thresholds into your private spaces. The tell-tale signs of CMWD legitimacy include uniforms, ID badges emblazoned with the clear city logo, and official vehicles that aren't shy about their municipal markings, per the San Diego County Water Authority.

In a hard move to keep the public informed, the Water Authority laid out the playbook for recognizing the good guys from the grifters. CMWD workers will readily explain why they're at your door and provide a business card for that extra layer of validity. Remember, transparency is as clear as the water they work with. On the other hand, a scammer's pitch often comes bottled with the pressure to buy some specific commercial product—an immediate red flag since CMWD staffers aren't in the business of peddling products.

The Water Authority insists that no legitimate utility worker will come knocking for your credit card info or urge you to settle an unexpected bill then and there. If such a situation flows your way, dial 9-1-1 and let the authorities dam up the scam.