Pacific Power addresses holiday scam awareness for customers

PORTLAND, Ore — Heading into the holiday season, Pacific Power reminds customers to be vigilant about fraudulent communications from scammers posing as utility representatives. This activity tends to increase during this time of year.

Customers can protect themselves from these types of schemes by being aware of the following facts:

• Scammers will often tell you that your service is scheduled to be interrupted in the next 30-60 minutes.

Fact: Pacific Power will not contact any customer demanding immediate payment to avoid same-day service disconnection.

• Fraudsters may ask you to purchase a prepaid card and tell them the card information over the phone.

Fact: Pacific Power does not ask customers to make payments by purchasing prepaid cards. Customers can always choose how they would like to make their payments.

• Be suspicious of anyone approaching you by phone, email, text, or in-person to demand on-the-spot payment.

Fact: Pacific Power will not contact customers to demand immediate payment for damaged or broken electrical equipment or any other service.

• If you receive one of these calls, ask the caller to state your account number and compare it with the number listed on your bill. Do not tell them your account number or any other personal information.

Fact: Pacific Power customer service employees will always have your correct account number.

Scammers increasingly have used text messages as a means of targeting victims.

Fact: Pacific Power will not demand payments from customers via text message. Pacific Power encourages customers to set up their online billing profile on the Pay My Bill page at http://www.pacificpower.net. Customers can pay bills and review statements on their account at https://csapps.pacificpower.net/idm/my-account/payments.

Scammers may use a sophisticated deceptive tactic that makes it appear to caller ID systems that the call is coming from Pacific Power when it is not. Hang up and call Customer Service directly.

Remember, if you still have concerns about the legitimacy of a call, you can always call our published customer service number: 1-888-221-7070. Pacific Power is asking customers to report information about any scam calls received, including the phone number the person is calling from and any information that may help to track down the fraudsters.