Senoia police are sounding the alarm after a string of unsettling encounters with a man going door to door and claiming he needed to collect water samples. According to neighbors, he introduced himself as a city worker and asked to come inside to get water from their homes. The suspect was described as short and scrawny with a goatee, wearing an orange safety vest, and driving a white Kia seen on May 21 and May 25. Officers are urging residents not to open their doors to him and to call 911 immediately if he shows up.
Police say the city's Public Works department has not sent anyone out to collect water samples, and officers opened an investigation after several tipsters reported similar encounters. The man was repeatedly described as "short and scrawny," and investigators say they still do not know why he is approaching homes. The warning stems from reports first detailed by WSB‑TV.
Imposter scams are common
Criminals frequently lean on official-looking uniforms, badges or safety gear to win trust, get inside homes and walk away with property or personal information. According to the FTC, imposter scams remain among the most frequently reported types of fraud. The agency advises people to verify a worker's identity by calling the utility or government office directly using a phone number you look up yourself, rather than trusting a badge, vest or convincing story at the door.
How to protect yourself at the door
If someone shows up claiming to be with the city, police recommend asking for official photo identification, noting the vehicle description and license plate, and then calling the department using a verified number to confirm the visit. If anything feels off, do not let the person inside. Senoia police have specifically urged residents to refuse entry to the man matching this description and to call 911 right away if they see him. Those safety steps were also emphasized in coverage by WSB‑TV.
Local pattern: Coweta incidents
Similar impersonation cases have hit Coweta County residents before. In 2022, FOX 5 Atlanta reported that a man posing as a utility worker was arrested after allegedly burglarizing an elderly Newnan resident, a reminder of how quickly a so-called routine service call can turn into theft and exploitation.
Police say the Senoia investigation is ongoing and are asking anyone with information to contact local law enforcement. They stress that quick reporting gives officers the best chance to track leads and keep neighborhoods safe.
