FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media contact: Ruth Ruiz, (714) 765-5060 office, (714) 420-7797 cell
ANAHEIM PUBLIC UTILITIES WARNS CUSTOMERS OF FRAUD ALERT
ANAHEIM, CA – (November 15, 2013) A number of Anaheim Public Utilities customers have recently received calls from individuals impersonating Anaheim employees requesting over-the-phone payments. These are not authorized calls by Anaheim Public Utilities.
Utility impersonators are using what’s called “spoofing software,” which allows them to falsely display Anaheim Public Utilities’ name and phone number on your caller ID. The impersonators are demanding that residents and businesses pay hundreds of dollars to pay their “past due” utility bills over the phone or face disconnection of their water and/or electric service immediately.
Oftentimes customers are asked to purchase a “Green Dot MoneyPak”—which can be purchased at local stores such as Walmart, CVS, and Walgreens—for the dollar amount being demanded, then make payment over the phone with the MoneyPak number.
As a reminder, Anaheim Public Utilities representatives will never make unsolicited calls to customers to collect utility payments, nor will staff visit residents to solicit payment. Customers can pay their utility bills by any of the following methods:
· By mail to Anaheim Public Utilities, P.O. Box 3222, Anaheim, CA 92803-3222
· In-person at Anaheim West Tower, 201 S. Anaheim Blvd., First Floor, Anaheim
· Through the authorized and automated phone system, by calling 714.765.3300
· Securely online at www.anaheim.net/utilities
Anaheim Public Utilities is working closely with the Anaheim Police Department, and we encourage all customers to contact us immediately at 714.765.3300 if contacted by these impersonators.
For the latest on fraud updates, program information, and more, please visit www.anaheim.net/utilities and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/anaheimutilities.
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ABOUT ANAHEIM –The City of Anaheim, founded in 1857, is one of the nation’s premier municipalities and is one of California’s most populous cities. Anaheim covers 50 square miles with more than 346,000 residents and more than 2,900 City employees. The municipal corporation’s annual budget is $1.6 billion. Anaheim supports a thriving business community with companies such as Carl Karcher Enterprises, Inc., L-3 Communications, Pacific Sunwear, and Disneyland Resort. Successful sports franchises call Anaheim home, including Angels Baseball, Anaheim Ducks, the U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team, and the 2012 Olympic Games Silver Medal winning U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team. Anaheim also boasts world-class meeting and entertainment venues with the Anaheim Convention Center, LEED-certified and the largest on the west coast, Honda Center, City National Grove of Anaheim, Anaheim GardenWalk, and Angel Stadium of Anaheim. In addition, Anaheim embraces its vibrant cultural arts community, including the world-renowned Anaheim Ballet. Annually, Anaheim welcomes millions of visitors to the city, truly making it where the world comes to live, work and play. For more information, please visit www.anaheim.net.