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Beware the San Diego government guy who wants to help you
Free Obama phone providors, EBT helpers, garage door inspectors
On September 17, Normal Heights resident Melissa Alvarado heard a knock on her door. It was “someone claiming they were from EBT" — Electronic Benefit Transfer — "looking for whoever was on EBT,” she told a group of former NextDoor neighbors. “He said he was there to drop off some items … the items looked like a table and a phone … meant for people on EBT, Medi-Cal, food stamps, etc.”
Alvarado didn’t open the door because she had her baby in the house. Others on the platform reported that they had experienced a similar type of solicitation, including Normal Heights' Casey Campbell, who posted a photo of her solicitor on Facebook. Alicia C. from Oak Park shared a picture of a woman in a bucket hat who “tried this on me. I don’t have Medi-Cal or EBT. She refused to leave.”
The odd thing is, these solicitors claim they’re from EBT, as if EBT is a company — when in reality, EBT is a system that distributes government aid through a plastic debit card for programs like CalFresh and Medi-Cal. South Park's Erik Hanson explained, “The conversation should have stopped when he said ‘I’m from EBT.’ That is like saying, ‘I’m from Cashier’s Check’ or ‘I’m from Cash.’” Unfortunately, some locals being targeted by the so-called EBT scam are people for whom English is a second language, making them less likely to pick up on the deception.
If the door-knockers are indeed scammers, their goal is to see and copy benefit cards, which can then be used to drain funds. However, some solicitors could also be legitimate workers from third-party phone providers such as the California LifeLine Program or TruConnect — both legal, state-endorsed programs that help low-income San Diegans get free or discounted phones, landline and cell phones.
Ariela Ross from Colina Del Sol explained that when she worked for a company distributing what they called “Obama phones,” workers were told to tell residents they were “just here to drop them off.” The process usually took a few minutes and required proof of low-income status, typically through an EBT or Medi-Cal card. The representatives, including Ross, were paid per phone activated, as long as they collect proper identification and documentation.
I used to see low-income phone providers set up underneath tents in busy San Diego intersections or by trolley stops. However, over the last year, the solicitors — again, who are legitimate workers — have started knocking on doors, simply trying to get more phones into people’s hands.
For residents unsure whether an offer is legitimate, the official California LifeLine website (californialifeline.com) lists approved service providers and eligibility rules. It is always advised to check an employee’s ID and verify the program online before sharing any personal information.
In addition to the EBT-related visits, people in North Park have reported individuals posing as water department employees and asking to access the inside of homes. According to the City of San Diego’s website, there have been reports of people impersonating water utility personnel to inspect plumbing, collect payments, or sell water treatment systems. The city warns that impostors may contact residents in person, by phone, or through the mail, using false claims about water quality to gain access or collect money. If anyone suspicious attempts to enter a home, residents should call 911 immediately. If unsure, check the person's identification badge and call 619-515-3525. The City’s Public Utilities Department can verify whether someone is a legitimate employee.
Another San Diegan described a garage door “inspection” scam in which a $55 service call turned into a $1100 repair after a technician dismantled the door and demanded payment.
Then there are the allegations of faux ICE agents knocking on San Diego County doors. However, both San Diego Police and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office told NBC 7 Investigators they’ve made zero arrests for impersonating an officer in 2025 so far.
Here's something you might be interested in.
Beware the San Diego government guy who wants to help you
Free Obama phone providors, EBT helpers, garage door inspectors
Beware the San Diego government guy who wants to help you
Free Obama phone providors, EBT helpers, garage door inspectors
On September 17, Normal Heights resident Melissa Alvarado heard a knock on her door. It was “someone claiming they were from EBT" — Electronic Benefit Transfer — "looking for whoever was on EBT,” she told a group of former NextDoor neighbors. “He said he was there to drop off some items … the items looked like a table and a phone … meant for people on EBT, Medi-Cal, food stamps, etc.”
Alvarado didn’t open the door because she had her baby in the house. Others on the platform reported that they had experienced a similar type of solicitation, including Normal Heights' Casey Campbell, who posted a photo of her solicitor on Facebook. Alicia C. from Oak Park shared a picture of a woman in a bucket hat who “tried this on me. I don’t have Medi-Cal or EBT. She refused to leave.”
The odd thing is, these solicitors claim they’re from EBT, as if EBT is a company — when in reality, EBT is a system that distributes government aid through a plastic debit card for programs like CalFresh and Medi-Cal. South Park's Erik Hanson explained, “The conversation should have stopped when he said ‘I’m from EBT.’ That is like saying, ‘I’m from Cashier’s Check’ or ‘I’m from Cash.’” Unfortunately, some locals being targeted by the so-called EBT scam are people for whom English is a second language, making them less likely to pick up on the deception.
If the door-knockers are indeed scammers, their goal is to see and copy benefit cards, which can then be used to drain funds. However, some solicitors could also be legitimate workers from third-party phone providers such as the California LifeLine Program or TruConnect — both legal, state-endorsed programs that help low-income San Diegans get free or discounted phones, landline and cell phones.
Ariela Ross from Colina Del Sol explained that when she worked for a company distributing what they called “Obama phones,” workers were told to tell residents they were “just here to drop them off.” The process usually took a few minutes and required proof of low-income status, typically through an EBT or Medi-Cal card. The representatives, including Ross, were paid per phone activated, as long as they collect proper identification and documentation.
I used to see low-income phone providers set up underneath tents in busy San Diego intersections or by trolley stops. However, over the last year, the solicitors — again, who are legitimate workers — have started knocking on doors, simply trying to get more phones into people’s hands.
For residents unsure whether an offer is legitimate, the official California LifeLine website (californialifeline.com) lists approved service providers and eligibility rules. It is always advised to check an employee’s ID and verify the program online before sharing any personal information.
In addition to the EBT-related visits, people in North Park have reported individuals posing as water department employees and asking to access the inside of homes. According to the City of San Diego’s website, there have been reports of people impersonating water utility personnel to inspect plumbing, collect payments, or sell water treatment systems. The city warns that impostors may contact residents in person, by phone, or through the mail, using false claims about water quality to gain access or collect money. If anyone suspicious attempts to enter a home, residents should call 911 immediately. If unsure, check the person's identification badge and call 619-515-3525. The City’s Public Utilities Department can verify whether someone is a legitimate employee.
Another San Diegan described a garage door “inspection” scam in which a $55 service call turned into a $1100 repair after a technician dismantled the door and demanded payment.
Then there are the allegations of faux ICE agents knocking on San Diego County doors. However, both San Diego Police and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office told NBC 7 Investigators they’ve made zero arrests for impersonating an officer in 2025 so far.
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