Glenwood City official warns residents of possible solicitation scam

By Cara L. Dempski

GLENWOOD CITY — A Glenwood City official is warning residents to be on the lookout for mailed information regarding insurance for household water lines.

Sharon Rosenow, the city’s clerk/treasurer, said a city resident recently told her they had received information about insuring the person’s household water lines. Rosenow informed the resident the insurance information was not sponsored or recommended by Glenwood City. 

The mailed solicitation is similar to information sent out a year, or more, ago. The city clerk indicated several people asked the city for advice regarding the program. Rosenow stated the people who received the solicitation at that time were told the insurance was not necessary.

“I have no idea of the value or merits of such insurance,” Rosenow explained. “I only know that it has nothing to do with the city, and we are not recommending anyone purchase such insurance. My thought is it is completely a scam.”

The cover page of the solicitation material informs property owners that water lines buried on the property are their responsibility when repairs become necessary. The document goes on to state the insurance is optional, but could protect the insured from service line repairs for as little as $5.49 per month.

Information at the bottom of the cover sheet indicates the solicitation came from HomeServe USA Repair Management Corp., which is an independent company and separate from the local utilities. The top of the page indicates the solicitation packet is “water service line information for AARP members.”

Rosenow was not sure if other people had received similar information recently, but wanted to inform the public that the solicitation does not come from the city.