July 27, 2018 • EPE Related News
El Paso Times: Beware of utility scams
Scammers often target utility customers, and they are constantly evolving their phone, in-person, and online tactics. They often pose as El Paso Electric Company employees, and threaten customers by telling them that services would be disconnected or shut off if they fail to make an immediate payment – typically using a prepaid card or other non-traceable form of payment.
“Utility scams can be very financially harmful to customers, and sometimes these scams are very sophisticated,” said Joe Garibay, Director of Customer Care at El Paso Electric. “That’s why our community needs to stay informed about the ways they can spot and report possible scams.”
There are various signs of potential scam activity that customers can look out for.
A threat to disconnect electric service is the one most often used. Scammers may tell the customer his or her utility bill is past due and service will be disconnected if a payment is not made – usually within less than an hour.
Residential and business customers may receive also a voice message instructing them to call a specific phone number in order to make a payment. El Paso Electric urges customers to not call the number the scammer provides. If they have any doubts or questions about their accounts, customers should call El Paso Electric at the phone number listed in their monthly bill or on the company’s website.
Another scam tactic is the request for immediate payment. Scammers may instruct the customer to purchase a prepaid card – widely available at retail stores – then call them back to make a bill payment to his or her utility company through this prepaid card. When the customer calls back, the caller asks the customer for the card’s number, which grants the scammer instant access to the card’s funds, and the victim’s money is gone. Customers should never purchase a prepaid card to avoid service disconnection or shutoff.
“Protecting our customers is our number one priority,” said Garibay. “El Paso Electric will not specify how any customer should make a bill payment; we do, however, offer a variety of ways to pay a bill.”
If someone threatens immediate disconnection of service, customers should hang up the phone, delete the email, or shut the door, and call El Paso Electric’s Customer Service Department to inquire about their account. If customers ever feel that they are in physical danger, they should call 911.
Customers who suspect that they have been victims of fraud, or who feel threatened during contact with one of these scammers, should contact local law enforcement authorities. The Federal Trade Commission’s website is also a good source of information about how to protect personal information.
El Paso Electric Customer Service Numbers:
Texas (915) 543-5970
New Mexico (575) 526-5555
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