Southern California Edison (SCE) is advising customers to be aware of a telephone scam that demands immediate payment for allegedly past due electricity bills.<\/p>\n
Imposters have been calling SCE customers telling them they must make immediate payment on past due bills or have their electric service disconnected. The callers are also demanding that payment be made through a prepaid cash card. Other forms of fraud involve customers being asked to purchase prepaid debit cards. Scammers ask for the debit card number and collect the value deposited on the card.<\/p>\n
SCE customers have reported about 800 instances of phone scams this year. About 150 residential and commercial customers have been victimized by some form of bill scam with the incidents costing them an average of $800 to $1,000.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe ask our customers to be alert to these calls that demand immediate payment and threaten service disconnection,\u201d said Marlyn Denter, SCE manager of consumer affairs. \u201cCustomers suspecting a fraudulent call should ask for the caller\u2019s name, department and business phone number. If the caller refuses to provide this information, customers should terminate the call and report the incident immediately to local police or SCE at 800-655-4555.\u201d<\/p>\n
Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey, whose office prosecutes crimes in about 80 cities within SCE\u2019s service territory, joins the utility in warning consumers about telephone scams.<\/p>\n
\u201cSCE and the Los Angeles County District Attorney\u2019s Office share a common interest in keeping Los Angeles County residents safe from bill scams and other financial crimes,\u201d Lacey said.<\/p>\n
\u201cA first step to preventing financial scams \u2014 particularly among the elderly and in ethnic communities \u2014 is to educate the public,\u201d she said. \u201cWhen these crimes do occur, the Los Angeles County District Attorney\u2019s Office is fully committed to prosecuting them to the fullest extent of the law.\u201d<\/p>\n
SCE also reminds customers to ask for identification when a stranger comes to the door or calls claiming to be a utility worker. SCE utility workers will provide verification, including their department and phone number, when asked.<\/p>\n
In most cases, home visits by SCE are scheduled by the customer and SCE will confirm the appointment in writing. If there are any concerns, SCE and law enforcement officials suggest having the utility worker wait outside until their identity can be verified.<\/p>\n