Tis the Season for Holiday Scams – Pasadena Water & Power Wants to Inform You

PWP will inform the customer by mailing a notice to the account holder address. – Photo by Terry Miller / Beacon Media News

Due to an increase in fraudulent calls, Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) want to advise you to be especially vigilant about scam calls demanding payment for your utility bill.

PWP will never call customers asking them to make payment over the phone. If you receive one of these calls, be advised that scammers are attempting to solicit money or personal information from you. They may demand that customers go to a nearby convenience store, like Rite Aid or CVS, and purchase gift cards in order to make a payment.

It’s helpful to know the legitimate ways that PWP will contact you. If a utility bill is delinquent, PWP will inform the customer by mailing a notice to the account holder address. Two delinquency notifications will be sent to a customer before their electric or water service is disconnected for non-payment.

Customers are always welcome to call the PWP Customer Service line at (626) 744-4005 to make a payment. This is a secure and valid way to access your account and is not the same as a representative calling customers to demand immediate payment.

Here are some recent scam attempts:

• An unidentified caller is claiming to be a PWP representative threatens to turn off water or electric service unless immediate payment is made over the phone.
• A scammer is using spoofing technology to make PWP’s Customer Service number, (626) 744-4005, appear as their contact information or calling from a toll free number (866) 305-4992.

The more you know, the more you can protect yourself from fraud. Additional information is available on our website.

More from News