From the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department
Pico Rivera Sheriff’s Station is warning residents and businesses to be aware of a payment scam involving utility imposters demanding customers pay their energy bills with pre-paid cash cards or face immediate termination of utility service. The fraudulent activity has been reported throughout the metro-Los Angeles area.
Several business operators in Pico Rivera have reported that individuals misrepresenting themselves as utility employees are calling and threatening to turn off electric service if payment is not made to them that day. Utility customers have been told that the payment must be made by purchasing a pre-pay cash card.
"Although we received several calls, none of the callers reported being an actual victim of this fraudulent activity. We want to alert our residents and business operators in the area in an effort to prevent them from becoming potential victims," said Sergeant Richard Hernandez from Pico Rivera Sheriff’s Station.
"We advise our residents and business operators to be alert and not to provide any type of financial information if they receive a call from a suspicious company." They should call their utility provider to verify the request and report the activity.”
If you receive a questionable phone call that makes you feel uncomfortable, hang up and call the Altadena Sheriff Station (626-798-1131) to file a report and or SoCal Edison at (800) 655-4555
