Utility scams are bread and butter ways that scammers use to scare you into giving them money. This week, the Snohomish County PUD posted on Twitter (also known as X) a warning about scammers contacting several business owners threatening to shut off power immediately if they did not pay up.
The PUD reminds all of its customers that it will never threaten immediate
disconnection. The PUD will only disconnect an account in arrears after sending
notices via snail mail. They will not call, text, email, or visit in person to
demand immediate payment.
The PUD also does not take gift cards or crypto currency in payment.
They will not contact you out of the blue demanding your credit card account
number.
PUD employees always carry PUD ID. If someone is at your door and
you are suspicious of their presence, ask to see their ID. You can also verify if
they work for the PUD by calling Customer Service at (425) 783-1000.
Like other scammers, utility scammers want to scare you into acting
quickly and pay them. If you receive a phone call, text, email, or someone at
your door demanding immediate payment or your electricity will be cut off, slow
down. Hang up or ignore the text or email and call Customer Service to verify that
you are paid up.
Snohomish County PUD:
https://www.snopud.com/account/scams/
Utility scams are common all around the US. For more information on
the ways scammers use utility scams to steal your money check out the following
resources-
Utilities
United Against Scams:
https://www.utilitiesunited.org/#news
AARP:
https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/utility/?msockid=1ccaa3490741631714d9b3fb03416160
Federal Trade Commission:
https://consumer.ftc.gov/scammers-pretend-be-your-utility-company
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