Thousands of Clark Public Utilities customers have reportedly been targeted with bogus emails and fraudulent phone calls.
The scammers, sometimes mimicking the utility’s automated phone messages or tricking call ID systems into thinking they’re the utility, have called customers to claim they are behind on their bills, then demand payments on pain of cutting the power.
The utility said its employees will never call and make threats to quickly cut the power. Likewise, they’ll never ask for payment by way of prepaid debit card, another aspect of this scam and many others. The scammers ask consumers to buy the card, then call back and share the number on the back of the card. Instead, consumers should hang up immediately.
Anyone who actually is late on their bills can expect a visit from a real Clark Public Utilities employee, but only after several missed payment notices.
Even then, customers are encouraged to be cautious and check with the utility at 360-992-3000.
In another type of scam, customers have been getting emails that mimic the utility’s and include a fake link to update account information or make a payment.
Customers managing their accounts online should type the utility’s website, www.clarkpublicutilities.com, directly into an internet browser and avoid clicking links from suspicious emails.
“No one believes they could fall for a scam, but these schemes are extremely convincing and prey on all customers, but especially the most vulnerable,” Clark Public Utilities CEO and General Manager Wayne Nelson said in a news release. “We are asking our customers to be extremely cautious when they receive a call or email from anyone claiming or appearing to be from the utility. If a call threatens disconnection and demands payment, we want customers to hang up and call our customer service directly to check the account status.”
