Scam Alert: Impostors Posing as Water and Power Employees Seeking Money

The City of Pasadena sent this alert Aug. 1:

Pasadena Water and Power Department (PWP) cautions customers to beware of impostors posing as city utility employees requesting payment over the phone.  The caller demands that customers pay their delinquent water or power account to avoid disconnection. 

PWP will never call customers to request personal information or payment by gift card.  Delinquent payments must be made in person at the City Hall Municipal Services counter, online via customer login, or by phone at (626) 744-4005.  Beware of scammers who demand payment by any other means than these.

To report suspicious activity, call the Pasadena Police Department at (626) 744-4241.  If you wish to verify the status of your account, you may call (626) 744-4005 during normal business hours.  For more tips, visit www.PWPweb.com/FraudProtection  

The impostors are seeking to obtain money or gift cards by asking the customer to go to a nearby pharmacy; provide personal financial information, or by demanding that they pay their bill with a pre-paid cash card or credit card.

PWP customers have reported increasing incidents of this scam, in both Spanish and English, and the Department is working with Pasadena police officials.

Customers with delinquent accounts will receive a "Final Notice" from PWP by U.S. mail before any phone contact from PWP is made. The notice will list a final due date and payment methods.

Have you or someone you know fallen victim to this scam? Share in the comments.