Unscheduled Install Visit

[ThomasM]

What next???? :(

Look out for burglars posing as satellite installers, authorities say
By Sharif Durhams of the Journal Sentinel

Posted: Sept. 23, 2009 6:58 a.m.

Ozaukee County authorities are warning residents about a burglar in communities north of Milwaukee who might be posing as a satellite television installer.

Sheriff's deputies investigating a Sept. 9 attempted burglary in the Town of Grafton learned that a resident had been approached by a man driving a light green or gray Ford Explorer and wearing a shirt bearing satellite operator Direct TV's logo shortly before glass was broken at a nearby house and an alarm sounded.

Direct TV said it didn't have an employee in the area at the time of the robbery. At least two other North Shore communities have been investigating burglaries with a suspect described in a similar manner, driving a similar vehicle.

Direct TV workers wear identifications and drive vehicles marked with the company's logos, the company told the sheriff's department. Employees of other utilities tend to do the same.

Ozaukee authorities suggest anyone who is approached by someone claiming to work for the satellite operator who doesn't have identification or who isn't driving a vehicle with the company's logos should call their local law enforcement agency.

[awblackmon]

In our market we were all issued ID tags and are required to wear them. We turn in a expected arrival time and our shop calls the customer and informs them of our arrival. We also call and tell you about our arrival prior to arriving. The only time we don't announce our arrival is if you don't answer the phone, or you give a non operating number on the work order.

[Cats#8]

In our market we were all issued ID tags and are required to wear them. We turn in a expected arrival time and our shop calls the customer and informs them of our arrival. We also call and tell you about our arrival prior to arriving. The only time we don't announce our arrival is if you don't answer the phone, or you give a non operating number on the work order.

Same here.

[Joe C]

Installers around here come in thier privately owned vehicles LOADED with equipment/tools etc in them. No Directv markings of any kind on the exterior of the vehicle.

[ffemtreed]

Installers around here come in thier privately owned vehicles LOADED with equipment/tools etc in them. No Directv markings of any kind on the exterior of the vehicle.

same here, although I have seen a DTV van driving around every once in awhile. When I had my original install and mover connection both times it was someone in their own pickup truck to do the work.

[idigg]

Installers around here come in thier privately owned vehicles LOADED with equipment/tools etc in them. No Directv markings of any kind on the exterior of the vehicle.

Same here, and I live IN MILWAUKEE. Scary :eek2:

[RobertE]

This week the story is about fake sat installers, in the past it's been pizza guys, meter readers even fake law enforcement.

The power of the an "ID" badge. :rolleyes: Our ID badges looks like someone made them in MS Paint. Someone with access to a Kinkos could make a more "professional" looking badges than some that I've seen.

As for marked vehicles. :( I can't speak for all regions, be we can break mine down into three groups.

Employees of the HSP with company van. This is the nice rolling billboard, logos, the works. Nearly all customers are happy when this van pulls into the driveway. As they say, first impressions are priceless. Typically, employees in company vans get paid less than personal vehicles. However, greed at the HSP level are reducing the number of company vans each month. That leads to the next two types.

Employees with personal vehicles. DirecTv has "requirements" that the vehicle is supposed to meet. Needless to say, that is very rarely if ever enforced/followed. These guys get magnetic signs to place on their doors. Not nearly as "professional" looking as the rolling billboard, but not the end of the world.

Then there are the sub-contractors. Pretty much anything goes. Strap a 28 foot ladder to the roof of a yugo and your good to go. Not knocking the quality of the work of the guy driving the yugo, but they are the least "professional" looking of the bunch.

Basicly anyone with a few minutes and access to a computer or a kinkos can make up fake id badges to be anyone from anywhere.

[hobie346]

This week the story is about fake sat installers, in the past it's been pizza guys, meter readers even fake law enforcement.

The power of the an "ID" badge. :rolleyes: Our ID badges looks like someone made them in MS Paint. Someone with access to a Kinkos could make a more "professional" looking badges than some that I've seen.

As for marked vehicles. :( I can't speak for all regions, be we can break mine down into three groups.

Employees of the HSP with company van. This is the nice rolling billboard, logos, the works. Nearly all customers are happy when this van pulls into the driveway. As they say, first impressions are priceless. Typically, employees in company vans get paid less than personal vehicles. However, greed at the HSP level are reducing the number of company vans each month. That leads to the next two types.

Employees with personal vehicles. DirecTv has "requirements" that the vehicle is supposed to meet. Needless to say, that is very rarely if ever enforced/followed. These guys get magnetic signs to place on their doors. Not nearly as "professional" looking as the rolling billboard, but not the end of the world.

Then there are the sub-contractors. Pretty much anything goes. Strap a 28 foot ladder to the roof of a yugo and your good to go. Not knocking the quality of the work of the guy driving the yugo, but they are the least "professional" looking of the bunch.

Basicly anyone with a few minutes and access to a computer or a kinkos can make up fake id badges to be anyone from anywhere.

Sorry to HK the thread. Along the same line of thought but when local merchants want to see some form of ID (preferable DL) when using a CC I have to laugh. Like that's going to stop someone from using a forged/stolen CC? Right, think again Jack. With Photoshop tools today anyone can make a fake DL in a matter of minutes. No brains required.

[joe diamond]

AND there are plenty of official Directv shirts on the street.

I was hoping for official Directv winter gear and crawl space overalls. Never happened. BUT the same Directv subcontractor that issued me a picture ID failed to issue all the paychecks required. Even though this guy didn't have a shirt he stole from employees, customers, vendors and suppliers.

Business as usual.

Joe