Pacific Power Warns Oregon Customers of Scammers Demanding Immediate Payment
Pacific Power customers must remain vigilant against scammers demanding immediate payment to avoid being disconnected the same day.
The utility reminds customers that this scam becomes more active over the festive season, and that they should remain vigilant to scammers posing as representatives of the power utility.
Scam Protection Tips
Scammers often say that a service will be interrupted within 30 to 60 minutes unless an immediate payment is made. Pacific Power will never request immediate payment.
Another ploy adopted by the fraudsters is to ask customers to buy prepaid cards and then relay the information on the card over the phone. Pacific Power never makes such a request.
Customers who receive such calls must ask the suspected scammer to state account numbers and compare these to the account numbers listed on their bills. Pacific Power customer service employees will always provide the correct account number.
Text messages are another method used by the fraudsters. Pacific Power does not demand payment via text message.
Scammers also use a sophisticated and deceptive tactic that makes it appear to caller ID systems that the call is from Pacific Power. Disconnect immediately from any suspicious or concerning calls, and contact the Pacific Power customer service line at 1-888-221-7070.
Finally, Pacific Power appeals to customers to report any scam, including the phone number the person calls from, and any other information that may help to track down the fraudsters.