All it took was a yellow vest, some fast talking and NBC 6 reporter Steve Litz was inside the homes of people who thought he was a utility worker. The unsuspecting homeowners let Litz, a perfect stranger, into their homes without hesitation.
Police say this is a bad move.
"People are big-hearted and they allow people to come into their house. They are more welcoming and they are more vulnerable and fall victim to this type of crime," said Officer Marloys Morales, Miami-Dade Police.
In the past, impostors have been able to use the same techniques to enter homes and steal from victims. Two men were even stole an elderly woman's diamond ring.
In an effort to warn residents, Miami-Dade Police and the county water and sewer department had Litz go door to door Thursday in Westchester, posing as a utility worker.
Saying that he needed to check their plumbing, three people let Litz in, with hardly any questions, no identification and no idea who he really was.
However only one woman, Juanita Hernandez, stopped Litz. She told Litz that she recognized him from the news. She was adamant about not letting strangers, including utility workers into her home.
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"I just don't trust anybody. I think safety is just really important and you have to just take every precaution you possibly can," said Hernandez.
After Litz's fake pitch, police officers followed right behind, warning homeowners about criminals posing as utility workers.
Jennifer Messemer-Skold with the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer said if there's ever a slight doubt, call 311 or even police.
