Police are urging Invercargill residents to be vigilant after a man masquerading as a Chorus worker tried to gain entry to a woman’s home.
The woman said she saw the high-viz-wearing man walking up and down her street before he came and knocked on her door.
He claimed to work for telecommunications company Chorus, which is involved in the ultrafast broadband network rollout, and asked to "see where her phone was", police said.
The woman did not fall for the ruse.
"The woman sensibly refused him entry and called police."
The incident served as a valuable reminder that "if a stranger comes to your door offering a service, or asking for information, you should always ask to see their photo identification," police said.
"Always keep your door locked, even if you are just in the garden.
"And if you have any concerns for your safety, please call police straight away."
Chorus stakeholder communications adviser Holly Cushen said the Chorus con was "not something that frequently occurs".
"If a resident is approached by someone claiming to work for Chorus, they should always first ask to see their ID card," Ms Cushen said.
"A legitimate Chorus tech will also be in Chorus uniform (shirt) and have a branded vehicle. They will only require access to premises if fibre has been ordered or the tech is investigating a reported fault."
