(Credit: City of Austin)
City of Austin Utilities wants all customers to be aware of individuals posing as City of Austin or Austin Energy employees. These scammers are trying to take advantage of customers and steal money from them.
Today, nearly 50 commercial and residential customers have called the Utilities Customer Contact Center reporting that they have received calls from someone claiming to be with the City or Austin Energy. The scammers tell customers that they owe money and that their utilities will be cut off if immediate payment is not made.
In some cases, the scammers have spoofed the Utilities Customer Contact Center phone number of 512-494-9400 and in other cases, customers are asked to call a toll-free number. Some of those contacted live in outlying areas and are not even City of Austin Utilities customers. The City is working with nearby utilities to help spread the word about these utility scams.
Six things to know:
- The City of Austin Utilities Customer Contact Center does not call residential customers with cut-off deadlines. (Note: Commercial customers may receive a courtesy call two days prior to scheduled cut off for non-payment.)
- We will never ask for credit card or wire transfer information over the phone.
- While some customers do pay in cash, the City will never demand immediate payment in person with cash, gift card or Bitcoin.
- City of Austin Utilities accepts mail-in or walk-in payments or payments online at www.coautilities.com.
- If a City of Austin customer receives a phone call threatening to interrupt service, demand immediate payment, or request credit card or bank account information, hang up and dial 3-1-1 or 512-974-2000 and report the incident immediately.
- Anyone who has received such a call or email and is uncertain of his or her account status can call the City of Austin Utilities Customer Contact Center at 512-494-9400.
