NI Water urges households to check IDs and use police ‘Quick Check’ service to protect against bogus callers
Sunday 25 October 2026
Households across Northern Ireland are being urged to stay alert to bogus callers as darker evenings approach, with NI Water reminding residents never to allow anyone into their home without first checking their identity.
The utility company has issued fresh advice on how to recognise genuine employees, safely check identification and use a police verification service if someone arrives unexpectedly claiming to be from NI Water, Water Service or the Water Board.
The warning is particularly important for older residents, people living alone and anyone who may feel pressured by a caller claiming there is an urgent problem with their water supply.
How to check if a caller is genuine
NI Water says all its employees carry official identification cards displaying their photograph, name and serial number.
Residents should always ask to see identification before opening their door or allowing anyone inside, regardless of how convincing or urgent a caller may appear.
The company recommends taking the following precautions:
• Keep your door chain attached while asking the caller to show their identification card.
• If you do not have a door chain or camera, ask the caller to hold their ID against a window or pass it through your letterbox.
• Check the photograph, name and serial number carefully before deciding whether to open the door.
• Do not feel pressured or rushed. Genuine NI Water employees will not object to you checking their identity.
• Never allow anyone into your home unless you are satisfied they are who they claim to be.
Police Quick Check service can verify callers
Robbie Burns, NI Water Customer Experience Senior Manager, said it is unusual for company employees to visit homes without giving advance notice.
He explained:
“It’s highly unusual for NI Water staff to be calling at your door without first notifying you. If a caller does arrive at your door unannounced, use the ‘Quick Check’ number on 101.
“The Quick Check scheme helps members of the public ‘clock’ callers claiming to be from network companies. It helps check the identity of someone who says they are calling on the pretext of inspecting gas, electricity or water supplies. The police non-emergency 101 number will be able to verify their identity. If they are not genuine, or there is something suspicious about the caller, the call handler will be able send the police to you.”
The Quick Check scheme allows residents to contact police on the non-emergency number 101 to establish whether someone claiming to represent a participating utility company is genuine.
The service involves organisations including NI Water, Northern Ireland Electricity Networks, Phoenix Natural Gas, SGN Natural Gas/Evolve, SSE Airtricity, Firmus, the Utility Regulator and the PSNI.
Extra support available for vulnerable customers
NI Water is also encouraging customers who may require additional assistance to register for its free Customer Care Register.
The service is designed to provide additional support for customers who may have particular needs when accessing water and wastewater services.
Mr Burns said:
“We’re also encouraging people who may need some extra support to sign up to our free Customer Care Register (here).
“Customers can also sign up for NI Water's free "Keeping You Informed" text alert service (here), which helps them keep up to date about planned and emergency interruptions to their water supply.”
The free text alert service provides information about planned work and emergency interruptions affecting customers' water supplies.
What to do if someone arrives unexpectedly
Anyone receiving an unexpected visit from someone claiming to represent NI Water or another participating utility provider should keep their door secure and use the Quick Check service on 101 before allowing access.
If a caller becomes suspicious or cannot be verified, residents should not admit them to their property. Anyone facing an immediate threat or emergency should call 999.
With the darker evenings setting in, NI Water's message is straightforward: a genuine caller will wait while their identity is checked, and residents should never feel obliged to open their door simply because someone claims to be from a utility company.
