Utility Scammers Target Customers
November 29, 2014 at 2:03 p.m.
This article is sponsored by Seattle City Light
As you prepare for the cold winter months, Seattle City Light wants you to be on alert for scams that could take place at your home or workplace. Scams often take the form of a phone call, email or in-person visit and they tend to occur most in the winter and summer seasons when people depend on their heating and air conditioning.
Seattle City Light receives approximately 25 to 30 calls per week from customers who have been targeted by scammers. To combat this, Seattle City Light is launching a scam prevention campaign called, “Spot It, Report It, Stop It” to help educate, empower and protect customers from fraud.
“The protection of our customers is top priority. It is the driving force behind the utility’s efforts to prevent scams from happening,” said Kelly Enright, Seattle City Light Customer Care Director. “We want our customers to be fully informed of scammers, so they can be better protected.”
The most common scam begins with a phone call from someone posing as a utility employee. The scammer claims that there is an overdue bill that must be paid immediately or electricity will be turned off. This is not utility policy. Seattle City Light will never shut your power off without multiple warnings, including a written warning well in advance.
Another form of the scam uses email to bait its victims. The emails ask the recipient to pay an outstanding balance on their account and direct them to open a link in the body of the email. Even though the email may appear official and authentic, never respond to emails that request payment or ask for financial information. If you intend to pay a bill online, visit City Light’s website directly to ensure your information and transaction are secure.
Also, be sure to stay away from scammers who try and pressure you to make a payment via pre-paid credit card. City Light will never make such a request.
Sometimes scammers even show up at customers’ homes posing as utility workers and requesting access indoors. City Light will never visit you at home to request payment, ask for financial information or enter your home to conduct tests. City Light workers/ employees will always provide you with identification upon request. If a scammer approaches you asking to access your home or property, close and secure the door and call 911.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information on how to fight scams and help friends and family better protect themselves, please visit www.seattle.gov/ light/EndScams or call (206) 684-3000 to speak with a Seattle City Light representative.