Winnipeg police are warning residents to ask repair people to show ID before letting them into their homes, after a man claiming to be an electrician gained entry to a home in Norwood Flats.

The man showed up at the home on Wednesday, telling the people inside that he was on a service call.

The man was allowed in and he spent some time inside the home, but he did not have any further contact with the residents before he left without incident, according to police.

Officers later learned that while the homeowners did have work done on the home recently, they were not expecting any repair people on Wednesday.

Const. Eric Hofley said residents should take precautions when anyone claiming to be a repair person comes to their door, regardless of whether they're expecting someone or not.

For starters, he said, workers from legitimate businesses should have identification that include the name of the business or organization they represent.

"Even then … some people, for whatever reason, you get that sense," he said. "Feel free to deny entry. This is your home; you have a right to protect it."

The man is described as around 30 years old, standing six feet one inch tall and weighing more than 200 pounds with a double chin.

He was wearing jeans, a blue shirt, white casual shoes and a black work-style jacket with no logo on it. As well, he was carrying a leather binder, according to police.