Identifying Scams Related to Utilities
Posted on May 2, 2023 by Charlie Krouse
Tags, Oregon Utilities 101, General Interest
Oregon has seen a rise in scams related to utilities in recent years. PGE estimates scammers cost their customers at least $8,700 in the first six weeks of 2022. This blog lays out how to prevent being scammed and what to look out for from scam calls.
Although anyone can be a target of these attacks, scammers often prey on older adults, low-income families, non-English speakers, and small business owners.
Common Utility Scam Tactics
Scammers sometimes impersonate utility companies via phone calls, texts, social media messages, emails, and even by knocking on doors.
One of the biggest red flags that it is a scam, is if they threaten immediate disconnection but you have not received any prior warnings from your utility company.
If you receive a call, text, email, or someone shows up at your door demanding you pay your bill immediately or you will be disconnected, it might be a scam. Check previous communications from your utility.
Utilities in Oregon are required to provide a 15-day notice after your bill has been past due for 18 days. Once they send the first notice, they notify a customer every day for the next 15 days. Utility companies will send these notifications via email, phone call, and direct mail before disconnecting you.
Utilities will never ask you to pay with non-traditional payment methods.
Scammers might encourage you to pay with a prepaid credit card, gift card, or via money exchange apps like Venmo or Zelle. Utility companies give you multiple options to pay your bills in advance to prevent shut off but these options are not one of them.
How to protect yourself
When in doubt, double-check! Call your utility company’s customer service line and verify your account information. Use the phone number on your last monthly bill statement or directly from your service provider’s website.
- Portland General Electric: 1-800-743-5000
- Pacific Power: 1 (888) 221-7070
- Idaho Power: 1 (800) 488-6151
- NW Natural: 1 (800) 422-4012
- Avista: 1 (800) 227-9187
- Cascade: 1-888-522-1130
Do not respond to someone showing up at your home without notice. If someone shows up at your home, call your utility company to verify the utility company sent them. They should be wearing clothing with the utility company’s logo and arrive in the utility company’s vehicle. You should have received a prior warning they would be stopping at your residence. If you feel threatened or uncomfortable, keep your door closed and call 911 if there is a concern for your safety.
Double-check past due amounts. If they request payments just below $500 or $1,000, this is an immediate red flag. Especially if you do not owe that much, they are attempting to scam you. Reach out directly to your utility company if you are unsure.
Check your account and meter number. Some scammers use fake bills that look official. Make sure the account and meter number match previous bills. If not, the notice should be considered highly suspect.
Register your utility account online. And if your company has a mobile app, download it. Both are quick and efficient ways of checking the status of your accounts. Scammers rely on you to not track your bills or to double-check their scams directly with your utility company.
Always verify with your utility company before paying anything. Double-checking can save you thousands of dollars.
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05/02/23 | 0 Comments | Identifying Scams Related to Utilities