Nov. 20 is Utility Scam Awareness Day, an advocacy campaign focused on exposing utility scams and tactics.
One of the most common tactics is someone claiming to be your water utility, threatening to turn off service.
Texas Water Utilities, which provides water and wastewater service to customers in North Texas, provides the following tips for avoiding utility scams.
• Protect personal information: Never provide or confirm personal information (Social Security number, date of birth) or financial information (banking account information, debit or credit card information) to anyone initiating contact with you, whether by phone, in-person, or email, claiming to be a utility company representative.
• Hang up and contact the utility yourself: Someone calls and says your service will be turned off if you don’t pay them immediately. Utility companies don’t do this. Hang up the phone and contact your utility. Oftentimes the fastest way to get in touch with your utility is online through email or a customer portal.
• Check your balance online: Most utilities have a customer portal that allows you to track your usage and payment. To be sure that your account is in good standing, you can check online.
• Report the scam: Contact your utility company to inform them of the scam.
• Make payments to your utility company directly: Never make a utility bill payment to anyone calling you on the phone, coming to your door, texting you, or emailing you. Always contact your utility company if you have a question about payment or billing information. Never wire money and always be suspicious if the caller is requiring the use of a specific payment option, like a prepaid card.
Use common sense and be aware when dealing with people claiming to be with utility companies.
Source: Vecteezy.com