Pasadena Water and Power Reports Scammers Attempted to Defraud Local Residents on Tuesday

Scammers targeted Pasadena Water and Power customers on Tuesday, spoofing PWP’s phone number, and texting payment demands accompanied by shutoff threats, the utility reported.

In a tweet, PWP said it does not demand payments or threaten utility shutoffs.

Customers with delinquent accounts will receive a “Final Notice” and “Disconnect Notice” from PWP by U.S. Mail notifying them of their account status.

On Tuesday, scammers texted PWP customers from 443-955-5612 with a “Wyre” purchase code, demanding payment.

In May, scammers spoofed PWP’s Utility Services Planning phone number, and threatening customers with utility shut-off if they didn’t make payment within 30 minutes by calling 866-616-1118, PWP said in a statement.

The utility also cautioned Pasadenans about scammers coming to their residence.

Incidents have been reported during which a person posing as a PWP representative visits a resident in person, demands payment and threatens to turn off water or electric service.

In other cases, an unscheduled home visit has occurred with the scammer posing as PWP meter readers/inspectors or posing as contractors offering home energy audit services.

But PWP meter readers and water quality staff generally don’t need to go inside your home, unless your meter is located in a service porch area or you’ve specifically requested an interior inspection.

The utility said Pasadenans should be aware that PWP employees will always wear a visible picture ID, with the city seal and an employee number, and have their supervisor’s phone number on hand. They will be driving an official city vehicle (PWP employees never use personal vehicles to make service calls).

Also, outside contractors hired by PWP will have a badge that identifies them as a PWP contractor. Furthermore, contractors working with PWP Home Improvement Program or the SoCalGas® Energy Savings Assistance Program will always schedule home visits with the customer before visiting.

Periodically, however, PWP may run a program that uses contractors to give information to customers door-to-door. Please call 626-744-4005 to verify they are working with the utility.

Learn more on protecting yourself from fraud at http://PWPweb.com/Fraud