Metro Creative Connection
Submitted by APS
With National Consumer Protection Week underway, Arizona Public Service is powering up efforts to help Arizonans spot and avoid scams targeting utility customers. Fraudsters will go to great lengths to steal identities and money, even scouring public information available through social media, to appear more convincing.
Watch out for these four tactics:
Threats to immediately shut off power
Scammers threaten to disconnect power unless immediate payment is made with a prepaid debit card, a gift card, cryptocurrency or third-party digital payment mobile application. APS will never specify the method of payment a customer must use and will provide multiple notices if an account is past due.
Spoofing
Scammers spoof their phone numbers to make it look like they are calling or texting from a specific service provider or community organization. Customers should never call/text back the number given. Instead, call the utility directly from the phone number on its website or on the customer’s bill. APS Customer Care Center representatives are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at (602) 371-7171 (metro Phoenix) or (800) 253-9405 (other areas).
Digital scams
Scammers target people on their smartphones and online.
• Text message with QR code or link: Fraudsters will claim to be a utility representative and send a link or QR Code to pay an outstanding balance. Do not open the QR code or click on any links. If you have questions about your bill, contact the utility directly.
• Fake sponsored ads: APS does not post ads to inform customers of their account status. When clicked, these scammer ads lead to an identical, but fake, bill payment page. Do not click. Instead, go directly to a provider’s website by typing its direct address, like aps.com.
Door-to-door
Sometimes scammers knock on doors and pretend to be from APS or to partner with APS to sell a product. APS employees and contractors carry photo IDs. To confirm the validity of a person claiming to be from or affiliated with APS, call APS at (602) 371-7171 (metro Phoenix) or (800) 253-9405 (other areas). Do not use a phone number the person provides.
APS encourages customers targeted by scammers to report the incident to local law enforcement and the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. Call 911 if you ever feel you are in physical danger. Learn more at aps.com/scams. APS is a member of Utilities United Against Scams, a group of more than 150 utilities committed to educating and raising awareness about scams.
Editor’s note: APS, headquartered in Phoenix, serves about 1.4 million homes and businesses in 11 of Arizona’s 15 counties, including the West Valley. Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.
