DON’T FALL VICTIM TO UTILITIES PHONE SCAM

It can be unsettling to receive a call from your utility company saying that your utility payment is overdue and that, if you don’t pay within 24 hours, your utility will be turned off. Some scammers are using this aggressive tactic to con people out of their money. A Morongo Basin resident recently reported receiving a phone call from a scammer who claimed to be from Southern California Edison, saying that his monthly utility payment was overdue and demanding payment via prepaid credit card. If you receive a call from an individual claiming to be from one of your utility companies, there are a few steps that you can take to protect yourself. Check to see if you are up-to-date on your utility payments. Never give out your banking information by email or phone. Remember, utility companies will never demand payment by gift card, cash reload card, or money wiring service. If you do not know if the call is legitimate, hang up and call your utility provider directly using the number provided on the last bill you received in the mail.