Guarda, Portugal, June 25, 2025 (Lusa) - The Intermunicipal Water and Sanitation Services of Celorico da Beira, Guarda, Manteigas and Sabugal (APAL-SIM, Águas Públicas em Altitude) warned on Tuesday of attempts at fraud by people posing as its employees.

In a statement to the public that the Guarda City Council sent, Águas Públicas em Altitude reports that it has identified attempts at fraud, involving people posing as its employees or those of other water services, “with the intention of scheduling false water collections in private homes.”

APAL-SIM states that it only schedules “appointments through official channels after prior notice via the usual channels (official telephone, institutional email or letter)”, and it emphasises that “employees must present clear and justified identification before entering homes”.

APAL-SIM and other water services ask the public to “remain vigilant and verify the legitimacy of any contact claiming to act on their behalf and seeking to schedule visits or collections”.

If someone approaches you “in this manner or if you question the veracity of a contact,” APAL-SIM urges you to “keep all information secure and contact the services immediately” (telephone 271232740 or geral@apal-sim.pt).

The intermunicipal services also ask for “everyone’s cooperation in preventing this type of situation.”

APAL-SIM - Águas Públicas em Altitude, Serviços Intermunicipalizados de Água e Saneamento de Celorico da Beira, Guarda, Manteigas e Sabugal is an intermunicipal entity that those four municipalities created on 19 February 2024, according to its website.

This entity’s mission is to manage municipal public water supply, wastewater and rainwater sanitation services in these municipalities.

SR/ADB // ADB.

Lusa