PUD Warning Everett Homeowners and Businesses About Recent Scams

April 18, 2014

Everett, Everett Economy

PUD scammer

Scammers have all sorts of ways to take your money.

Got an update today from Neil Neroutsos at Snohomish PUD about various attempts by scammers to steal identities, credit card numbers and collect phony payments. This is happening to both residential and commercial customers. Here’s their latest update and some good suggestions…

Snohomish County PUD reminds customers about potential scams that aim to steal customers’ identity and bill payment information. Criminals use various means of solicitation, including in person door-to-door visits, social media, fliers, phone calls and text messages.

Recent ploys have tried to lure both residential and business customers. They may claim the customer’s bill is delinquent and/or tell them there is special funding for utility bill assistance. Customers are typically asked for personal information, such as social security identification or credit card numbers. They also may provide victims with a fraudulent bank routing number with which to pay their utility bills.

If a PUD customer receives a phone call asking for financial information related to their bill, they should never provide this information. The PUD never calls customers to collect credit card information over the phone. The only time a credit card number is taken over the phone is through an outside, bill payment service. In this case, the phone call and payment is initiated by the customer by calling 1-888-909-4628.

If a customer receives a phone call, supposedly from the utility, and aren’t sure if it actually came from the PUD, they should call PUD Customer Service, at 425-783-1000 to verify the information they were given. The PUD representative will be able to tell them whether or not the call was legitimate.

If a person comes to a customer’s home or business claiming to be a PUD employee, they should ask to see their PUD identification. Employees carry an ID card with their picture on it and will gladly show it to customers.

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