The Sheriff’s Department is warning residents and businesses that it has received a number of reports about a telephone scam. Imposters claiming to be from SoCal Edison are calling businesses and telling them their electric bills are overdue. The caller then demands immediate payment through a prepaid cash or debit card to avoid having the business’s electricity disconnected. The scammers then collect the value deposited on the card. A Southern California Edison spokeswoman said SCE employees will never ask for payment over the phone or at a customer’s business or residence, nor does SoCal Edison accept PayPal payments. If the caller asks the resident or business owner to leave a location at a certain time for utility work, call the police, as it could be a burglary attempt set up by the caller. Customers suspecting a fraudulent call should ask for the caller’s name, department, and business phone number, and then they should call SCE at 800-655-4555 to report the incident. For more ways customers can stay safe, see the safety tips at www.sce.com.
