Three Cities Present Unified Message to Alert Utility Customers of Scammers Posing as Utility Employees

The Cities of Burbank, Glendale, and Pasadena are joining forces to inform the public about an ongoing utility scam that has claimed victims in all three cities.

In a recent two week period, Burbank Water and Power logged more than 40 incidents in which customers reported receiving illicit phone calls from people posing as utility employees. The scammers attempt to convince their victim that their power is about to be turned off unless they make an immediate payment of sometimes thousands of dollars. It’s a scam that has affected utility customers in Pasadena and Glendale as well. Since utilities are ubiquitous, the scam can occur i n virtually any community in Southern California.

The Cities of Burbank, Glendale, and Pasadena are holding a joint media availability to get the word out to utility customers and to explain what to do of contacted by a utility scammer. Representatives from law enforcement, community-owned utilities and two targeted victims will be available for interviews.

For more information, contact:

Burbank Drew Sugars Public Information Officer dsugars@burbankca.gov (818) 238-5849
Glendale Tom Lorenz Director of Communications & Community Relations tlorenz@glendaleca.gov (818) 548-4844
Pasadena William Boyer Public Information Officer wboyer@cityofpasadenanet (626) 744-4755