Oklahoma Natural Gas Warns About Fake Workers After Theft

By Jon Jordan, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- After a meter reader was mugged and his wallet and work tools were stolen, Oklahoma Natural Gas is warning residents about fake workers.

When an ONG worker goes to check our homes gas meters, it's assumed that the worker is a real employee. But if someone had a valid ID and the same set of tools, it might make setting apart a real employee from a fake one that much harder.

"It seemed like a pretty calm area and little issues have gone on, and this and that issues and it's concerning," said Stephanie Mora, who is worried about the muggings.

Stephanie Mora is more worried about her family than ever before, especially after hearing one of ONG's workers was mugged near SW 41 Street and May Avenue.

The suspects stole his ID, his shoes and his meter device.

"I'm kind of doubting why we bought the house in this area," Mora said.

Mora is like most people who think little of it when an ONG worker is in her yard, reading the meter, but because of the attack, that has changed.

"Since he could be pretending to be an ONG...and they say ‘Here I come.' You never know if he's a real employee or taking someone's identity," Mora said.

The director for ONG admits crooks could use a meter device to impersonate one his employees, but his employees only need the meter reading, they will never bother anything else.

"We won't mess around with houses and go in garages, none of those kinds of things. We're looking for a way to get reading off the meter and our business is done," said ONG Director Jerry Scovill.

Scovill also said anyone with concerns about one of ONG's employees shouldn't hesitate to ask questions or call their office.

"Ask for and ID if you need it and make the phone call," Scovill recommended.

As another way to help eliminate any confusion a customer may have about one of their employees, ONG said they are talking about getting better uniforms. Right now, all meter readers are required to wear are t-shirts with the company's logo.

The worker is okay. ONG said this theft will not affect any customers' bills and the device does not contain any personal information, such a social security numbers, so customer's shouldn't worry about that.