Richland Residents, PUD Customers-Watch Out For Utility Phone Scam

Monday, the City of Richland and the Benton PUD warned customers about yet another phone scam making the rounds recently.

According to the City of Richland:

"Both local residents and businesses have received calls in which they were told the caller is collecting on a past due account and demanding they pay immediately or they will be disconnected that day.  The caller requests the payment be made by money order, credit card or cash card. Caller ID can be spoofed and callers often have gained personal information that makes their demands sound very convincing.  Callers are persistent, demanding and sound believable by quoting fictitious past due amounts and utility policies.

Utilities encourage customers to not give any personal or credit card information by telephone. If customers are unsure if a call is actually from their utility, they should hang up and call their utility."

If possible, try to get the phone number they're calling from, and as much information as you can about them WITHOUT divulging your own. Then notify police.