NW Natural Warns Oregon Customers After Claims That ICE Agents Are Impersonating Utility Staff

By Lucille McNamara On Jan 9, 2026

A claim that Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are impersonating NW Natural utility workers to gain access to private homes has resulted in the company sending its customers an urgent notice of warning.

The company received the tip-off from an unnamed lawmaker, and the notices were sent out yesterday. NW Natural serves over 140 communities and millions of customers in the Northwest Oregon region. Areas include the Portland metro area, the Willamette Valley, the northern Oregon coast, the Columbia River Gorge, and Southwest Washington.

The company states that it has been informed that individuals are impersonating utility workers to gain access to residents.

Multi-Language Notice Gives Customers Tips on How to Identify NW Natural Utility Workers

NW Natural says in the multi-language notice that includes Spanish, Russian, and Vietnamese, that its workers wear a uniform and a utility badge saying ‘CONTRACTOR,’ and that their vehicles will be similarly marked with the company logo and/or ‘CONTRACTOR.’

However, residents taking to social media point out that those types of identification markings are easily accessible to the public.

The company also warns its customers not to follow requests by ‘contractors’ for entry to their homes, or when asked to step outside of their homes.

Tidings Insight

Do not open the door wide. Ask for ID through the door, then call the number on your bill to confirm a visit. Real crews will accept verification and reschedule.

NW Natural says workers will usually access meters at the back or on the side of yards and will only enter a home to conduct a safety check or inspection after making arrangements in advance with the customers.

Tidings Context

Utility crews can need access for safety checks, but legitimate utilities typically schedule interior entry and let customers verify via published numbers: you can refuse unannounced entry and call 911 if threatened.

Customers can verify if the utility workers at their properties are legitimate NW Natural employees by contacting the customer service line at 503-226-4211 or 800-422-4012. Customers who believe someone is posing as a company employee should contact 911 immediately.