By Mary O’KEEFE

A variety of scams ebb and flow. There will be a rash of fraudulent phones calls made when criminals state they are calling from the Internal Revenue Service, or they are from a non-profit and are raising funds. This often happens not long after a devastating wildfire when predators call people and play on their good nature of helping their neighbors.

Recently, readers contacted CVW with reports of receiving calls from people claiming they were representatives with utility companies like Glendale Water and Power and/or Southern California Edison. The fraudulent representatives usually tell their victims they are late on payment and then threaten them with power shutoffs. For many receiving these calls, this is distressing.

Recently a man called a local resident and told her he was from GWP and that she owed so much money he was going to come and shut off her power. Her first instinct was to panic, because she is elderly and is dependent on power for medical equipment. But after taking a step back from the initial fear she realized her utility company is in fact SCE and not GWP. This is what the scammers do however; they prey on fear and make certain to keep applying pressure so the victim does not have time to think.

Scammers are becoming more sophisticated in their process.

“Glendale Water & Power impersonators may use ‘spoofing software’ that lets them falsely display the name and phone number of GWP on your Caller ID. The impersonator calls asking you to pay your bill over the phone immediately or go and purchase a prepaid card and call back the impersonator or else your water or power service will be shut off immediately. Be advised that GWP never asks you for payment information over the phone or in person at your business or home. You should first call GWP or check your account online to see if your bill is past due,” according to the GWP website. “If you get a cancellation notification by phone from our pre-recorded system always verify it by dialing the customer service number on your utility bill or (855) 550-4497. Don’t give any information to the caller, not even an account number, which can be used against you in future phone calls.”

This happens at residences and at businesses alike.

SCE also has warnings of scammers.

“Typically, [scammers] pose as utility ‘collection’ employees and threaten to disconnect electricity service unless a payment is made immediately using a pre-paid cash card,” according to SCE.

SCE does not accept pre-paid cash cards for payments.

There have been times when scammers will come to a residence and demand payment.

“If customers receive a visit from any person claiming they are a GWP employee and have any uncertainty they should ask the individual to wait outside while they call GWP to verify identification. If you are contacted by phone, ask for a call back number for verification. Our customers should never feel embarrassed or feel a sense of urgency or pressure to provide personal information, or be coerced into signing up for programs,” according to GWP.

SCE employees always have on their SCE photo identification badge and wear a company uniform. They also drive vehicles that have permanent SCE logos on them.

Both GWP and SCE advise anyone who receives a call and are concerned about the legitimacy of that call to follow a few guidelines including: Never reveal personal information to anyone, including your utility account number; never use the call back number provided by an unknown caller to verify billing information; ask for the caller’s name, department and business phone number.

“If someone calls and asks you to leave your residence at a specific time for a ‘utility-related’ cause, call [local] law enforcement. Be suspicious of anyone who arrives at your house without an appointment asking to check your appliances or wiring or suggesting that there may be some other electrical problem inside or outside your residence,” according to SCE.

Anyone who has concerns should hang up and contact the office directly. To reach GWP call (818) 548-2070 and for SCE call (800) 655-4555. For those who are victims of a scam it is also advised to call local law enforcement.