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All newsBeware of Scams!
The following information bears repeating as we have been notified there is a new round of scam phone calls being made:
The PUD reminds customers about potential scams that may be committed over the phone, through mailers, via text messages and by people visiting their home or business. Criminals use various means of solicitation and may claim bills are delinquent, that special funding is available and/or seek financial information from the customer.
Both commercial and residential customers in the PUD’s service area have been targeted recently.
You may get a call – or even a visit to your home – claiming you are delinquent on your PUD bill and asking for personal information or a pre-paid credit card or direct you to another number to pay your bill. There have been reports that the scammers are even able to make caller ID suggest they are the PUD calling – be very cautious in all instances. If you are ever in doubt, ask for PUD ID or call the PUD directly.
Typically, PUD customers will not receive a phone call from the PUD about disconnect, although there is a notification process in place. And, because of FACTA, the PUD does not provide any information to customers about their account unless the customer provides verification that they are the account holder. Disconnects for non-payment also occur during normal working hours, Monday-Friday, providing one more opportunity for customers to make arrangements.
And while most scams tend to focus on residential customers, we also know that commercial customers are not immune from these criminal efforts.
The PUD encourages customers to be cautious when providing personal information, and when in doubt, call the PUD at 360-452-9771 to verify the legitimacy of the inquiry.