FEUS Warns San Juan County Residents About Fake “Energy Audit” Visits
Farmington Electric Utility System alerted customers that individuals posing as utility workers are offering in‑home “energy audits.” The utility says it is not conducting in‑home audits, urges residents to refuse entry, and to verify any worker by calling FEUS Customer Service at 505‑599‑1353.
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Farmington Electric Utility System (FEUS) has issued a public alert to customers across San Juan County after reports of people posing as utility employees and offering in‑home “energy audits.” The utility clarified that it is not performing door‑to‑door audits and that all legitimate FEUS staff will carry and display official identification badges.
The notice, posted on the City of Farmington’s website, advises residents to decline entry from anyone claiming to represent FEUS and to verify the identity of utility workers by calling FEUS Customer Service at 505‑599‑1353. The message aims to prevent scams and potential criminal activity that can accompany impersonation, including unauthorized access to homes or attempted solicitation for payment or services.
This warning carries immediate significance for local households, especially older adults and those living alone. Door‑to‑door approaches that claim to offer free services can create confusion and lead to unwanted financial costs, identity exposure or property risk. FEUS’s clear instruction that it is not conducting in‑home energy audits removes ambiguity about official utility programs and creates a straightforward verification step for residents.
Beyond immediate safety concerns, incidents of impersonation have economic implications for the community. Scams can erode trust between residents and legitimate service providers, increasing transaction costs—residents may demand more verification and restrict access to contractors—and can impose direct financial losses on victims. For a county with a mix of urban and rural customers, maintaining trust in essential services like electricity is important for both household well‑being and utility operations.
Policy and operational responses can mitigate these risks. FEUS’s requirement that employees carry official badges is a basic control; complementary measures include proactive community outreach, targeted alerts to neighborhoods where incidents are reported, and coordination with local law enforcement to investigate suspicious activity. Clear, repeated reminders about the 505‑599‑1353 verification line will be essential to reach vulnerable households that may not follow online notices.
For residents unsure about an approach, the safest course is to deny entry and use the published FEUS number to confirm whether a scheduled visit is legitimate. Reporting suspicious encounters to both FEUS and local police helps authorities track patterns and respond more quickly. As San Juan County navigates these incidents, the combination of utility verification, public awareness, and coordinated enforcement will be important to protect residents and preserve confidence in essential services.
