Protect yourself from utility scams

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON

The best defense against utility scammers attempting to cheat people out of their hard-earned cash is staying informed. Between January and October, fraudsters took more than $96,000 from Southern California Edison customers. While that’s a 62% reduction compared to the same period last year, scam attempts have not slowed—residential customers reported 954 incidents, and business customers reported 466 instances this year alone.

Scammers continue to target small businesses, restaurants, beauty and nail salons, auto repair shops, dental offices, churches and retail businesses most frequently. By threatening immediate disconnection, scammers prey on local businesses worried about losing patrons.

'Stay alert, and don't be afraid to question anything that doesn't feel right. Verify the authenticity of anyone claiming to be a Southern California Edison (SCE) representative by calling customer service,' said SCE Information Governance representative Peggy Garcia. A little caution goes a long way in keeping yourself or your business safe from fraud.

Despite persistent scheming, there are ways people can flag scam tactics.

• Verifyallcommunications.Bewaryofphonecalls,messagesor emails impersonating SCE. If a call does not seem legitimate, hang up and call SCE customer service at 1-800-655-4555.

• Bewareofurgency.Watchoutforscamsappearingintextmessages or from unfamiliar phone numbers, urging people to act immediately. Scammers apply pressure by threatening to shut off the service. Take a pause and remember: SCE will never demand immediate payment.

• Practicesafepaymentmethods.SCEwillneverrequestpayment in the form of a gift card, prepaid card, prepaid store barcode, cryptocurrency or third-party payment app. People can safely make payments online at www.sce.com, with a digital card or wallet, by phone or mail, or in person. SCE also urges people to remember these safety tips:

• Beware of requests for personal or financial information over the phone, by mail, by email or in person.

• Verify that the internet connection is secure and begins with https://.

• Always use an Edison website— www.sce.com. —Jennie Campos, SCE