Fraudulent phone calls, including threats of service termination, have spiked in both the Imperial and Coachella valleys, according to a recent news release from the Imperial Irrigation District (IID).
The release warned residents of scamming activity over the "last few days" that involved several customers. Scammers were seeking immediate payment from their victims, whom they threatened with a disconnect of electricity service.
Rather than pay any money, IID advises anyone receiving such phone calls to reach out to an IID representative to discuss their account.
"We've recently had a number of reports from customers of suspicious callers who are threatening to disconnect the customer's electricity if immediate payment isn't made, so, we're asking for the public's help in stopping these fraud attempts," Jamie Asbury, IID's Energy Department manager, said in the release.
Asbury also explained how customers should manage those contacts so as not to fall victim to a scammer. She noted that fraudulent activity and threats can come not only by telephone, but by emails and texts as well.
"If anyone does get contacted in a way that doesn't sound right, or seems suspicious, we ask them to contact us directly," Asbury said. "We'll be able to let you know if we are, in fact, trying to reach you and our Call Center representatives can discuss your account status with you."
Typically, the utility does not call residential customers demanding immediate payment, the release said. When customers are disconnected for nonpayment, it is based on a process. Customers who fall behind on their bills can expect to be notified via mail, door hangers or through IID's automated courtesy-alert phone system. If anyone is unsure of their account status, the agency can be contacted at 1-800-303-7756.
As an added layer of the warning, IID said that caller identification displayed on the phone can be misleading and cannot be relied upon to determine the legitimacy of a caller. Scammers can use a technique called "spoofing," which is a fraudulent practice that involves manipulating the caller ID system to give the impression that the call is coming from a phone number other than their own. Customers can best protect themselves by calling IID directly rather than redialing the number displayed on caller ID.
On a positive note, IID noted that quick action has helped authorities shut down fraudulent numbers before and can do so again if customers act without delay.