Water Authority warns about impostors
The San Diego County Water Authority warns residents to beware of individuals posing as employees of the San Diego Water Authority or pretending to represent a local water utility. These impostors arrive without an appointment and try to gain entry into the home under the pretense that they have been sent to the residence to check the home’s water system or to test the water quality. The imposter’s usual intent is to commit theft or fraud.
After receiving a report of an a person posing to be an employee of the San Diego Water Authority in the Santee area, the Water Authority issues this warning because there is no governmental agency called the San Diego Water Authority.
“We have had reports since 2000, so it could come up anywhere. It’s just where [the impostors] are practicing their arts,” said John Liarakos, media relations representative for San Diego County Water Authority.
The Water Authority and its employees do not fix water problems or test water systems in residences and rarely have a reason to ask for entry. In addition, an official employee will have proper identification and be willing to show it and provide a supervisor’s phone number at the agency for verification. Any employee who refuses to wait until the supervisor is contacted should be considered an imposter and the police should be notified promptly.
Follow these tips to prevent from becoming a victim:
“¢ If the water agency needs in-home contact with a resident, someone would call first to make an appointment.
“¢ Be alert if someone asks to collect an overdue bill. If your service is subject to being discontinued, you will be contacted with notices or correspondence about your bill and instructions on how to pay it.
“¢ Water agencies do not sell or endorse water filters, cleaners, softeners or other products.
For more information, visit www.sdcwa.org or call (858) 522-6600.

SDG&E launches grant assistance program
The San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is launching the Neighbor-to-Neighbor Fund Program to provide assistance in a form of a grant worth up to $250 to qualified costumers facing financial hardships with their energy bills.
Because of the recent dramatic fluctuations in the weather, people have been turning on their heaters, resulting in higher energy bills. According to peter Hidalgo, a spokesman for SDG&E, qualification for the grant is on a base-to-base case. “[SDG&E] wants to help those who need it the most. We want to reach out to the elderly, disabled, the recently laid off, people who are really struggling to pay their energy bills. Sometimes it’s based on their income, economic hardships, or significant medical incident. We want them to count on SDG&E,” said Hidalgo. The program is funded by contributions from SDG&E costumers.
SDG&E generally provides this grant during the winter and summer times when energy bills take a dramatic spike. To seek assistance, eligible customers should call 2-1-1 to be referred to the nearest participating community agencies, which distribute the fund contributions.
For more information and tips on how to reduce energy costs, visit www.sdge.com or call (800) 411-7343.

Free sealant clinic fights tooth decay
Dentists from the San Diego County Dental Society will fight dental disease by participating in a nationwide campaign called “Give Kids a Smile.” The event, which offers free sealants to children age 1 to 18, will take place Saturday, March 3, in National City.
At the clinic, practicing dentists from throughout San Diego County will provide sealants, fluoride varnishes, oral screenings and dental hygiene education. According to the American Dental Association and other health organizations, dental decay remains the most common chronic childhood disease.
“Give Kids a Smile” is sponsored by the American Dental Association. The program, now in its fourth year, is funded by the San Diego Dental Society, San Diego Smiles Program and Southwestern College Dental Hygiene Program through donations of money and supplies.
The free sealant clinic will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 3 at Southwestern College Hygiene Clinic, 880 National City Blvd. A maximum of 300 to 400 kids will be screened.
To schedule an appointment, call Nancy at (619) 692-8657 or Peggy at (619) 692-8858. For more information about the program, call (800) CDA-SMILE or Linda Fisher at (619) 275-0244.