Kitscoty RCMP warn of fake utility worker in Marwayne area

Kitscoty RCMP are alerting residents after a man posing as an ATCO Electric employee went to a home in the Village of Marwayne, Alberta and tried to get access to locked electrical equipment in the homeowner’s yard. The suspect claimed he needed the lock removed because he was going to cut power to the residence.

The encounter became suspicious when the man refused to show any identification or provide a business card and repeatedly blocked the homeowner from seeing the back of his vehicle. When the resident declined to cooperate, the man left. The homeowner later confirmed with ATCO that no authorized worker had been dispatched to their address. Police are now warning local residents in the Kitscoty–Marwayne area to be extremely cautious about anyone unexpectedly claiming to represent a utility or service provider.

Official incident details

According to Kitscoty RCMP, the incident involved a man who arrived at a private residence in Marwayne, Alta. representing himself as an ATCO Electric worker. He asked the homeowner to remove a lock from electrical equipment located on the property and stated he intended to shut off their electricity.

When questioned, the man declined to produce any form of identification or company credentials. He also positioned himself so the homeowner could not see the rear of his vehicle and kept shifting to block their view. After the resident refused to follow his instructions, the man left the scene. ATCO later confirmed they had no staff scheduled to be at that residence or in the immediate area for that purpose.

Police are sharing the following description of the individual and the vehicle involved:

• Male with a medium complexion
• Approximately 6 feet tall
• Estimated weight between 190 and 200 pounds
• Curly black hair and a beard
• Clothing at the time: jeans, a button-up shirt, and a blue vest with yellow reflective stripes
• Vehicle: newer white two-door Dodge pickup truck, believed to be a model year between 2020 and 2024

RCMP are urging residents to stay alert whenever someone arrives at their home unannounced claiming to work for a utility, contractor, or other company. Police advise that you:

• Request official photo identification and confirm the person’s full name and employer
• Refuse access to your home, yard, or equipment until you have confirmed their identity with the company using a trusted phone number
• Observe and note physical description and any vehicle details if something feels suspicious
• Call police immediately if you believe someone may be impersonating a worker or attempting a doorstep scam

This incident is of particular concern in smaller communities such as Kitscoty and Marwayne, where residents may be more accustomed to informal visits. For broader context on local trends, you can review Kitscoty, Alberta crime statistics and safety data to better understand risks and patterns in the area.

CrimeCanada.ca community safety perspective

At CrimeCanada.ca, we view impersonation of utility workers and doorstep scams as serious threats to community safety in Alberta. Offenders may be attempting to gain access to yards, homes, or critical infrastructure, or to collect personal information under false pretenses. These encounters can escalate quickly, especially when residents feel pressured or intimidated.

We encourage everyone to adopt a “verify first, comply later” approach. Do not hesitate to close the door, step back to a safe distance, and independently contact the company (using a verified phone number from a bill or official website) before allowing anyone onto your property or near your equipment. If something feels off, treat it as a potential threat and consider reporting the incident to police, even if no crime is clearly completed. Community reporting helps law enforcement identify patterns and protect neighbours. For ongoing updates on incidents like this, residents can monitor our latest Canadian safety alerts and police warnings.

Official Source & Community Safety

This safety alert is based on an official release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). CrimeCanada.ca aggregates and analyzes this data to keep the alberta community informed, aware, and safe. We are an independent safety data aggregator and not the original creators of the underlying incident report.

Read the full official release here: RCMP Official Statement.