CPS ENERGY WARNING CUSTOMERS TO BE ON ALERT FOR SCAMMERS

CPS Energy wants all customers to be aware of individuals posing as CPS Energy employees. These scammers will try to take advantage of them in an effort to steal money from them.

“Scammers use creative techniques to try and take advantage of our customers and take their money,” said Nora Castro, CPS Energy spokesperson. “This is not new, but during this time of year, when people have other things on their mind, these criminals may attempt to take advantage and become more aggressive.”

CPS Energy says new technology allows these criminals to clone phone numbers, giving customers the impression that a call from their utility is real.

“We want our customers to be on full alert, and if something seems suspicious, hang up and call us or visit your account online at cpsenergy.com through Manage My Account,” Castro added.

CPS Energy offers the following information to protect customers from scammers.

CPS Energy employees will:

• NEVER call and threaten to disconnect service at your home or business
• NEVER call residential or commercial customers to request a payment by phone
• NEVER ask a customer to purchase credit cards or prepaid cards
• NEVER ask to enter a customer’s home or business unless the customer initiates a request for service or receives prior notification

 Imposters may use the following tactics:

• Threatening to cut off the power. Scam artists demand quick action as a scare tactic
• Demand the purchase of a Green Dot, Pay Pal, iTunes, or some other pre-paid card. Once the imposter gets the card’s PIN or security number, it’s like wiring money. The funds cannot be recovered
• Sends customer to CVS Pharmacy/Office Depot/Walgreens to wire money
• Refuses customer to pay at H-E-B, claims it takes 24 hours to receive the payment – not true, these are real-time payments
• Claims recent payment was not received or was misapplied
• Gives customer 30 minutes to pay or get shut-off
• Caller claims someone from CPS Energy is in-route to turn power off
• Asks customer for banking information
• Caller asks customer for their account number (don’t give personal information to someone calling YOU)
• Gives customer a 1-800 or 1-844 number to have customer call back with payment

 Keep you and your money safe by:

• Signing up for Manage My Account to get access to your account balance and to pay your bill directly.
• Knowing your account number…because the thieves won’t
• Being vigilant, don’t assume it’s CPS Energy calling, thieves are using sophisticated technology to clone our customer service phone number

The Federal Trade Commission lists other scams to be on the lookout for.  If you feel you’re in immediate danger, call 911.

For additional tips, visit cpsenergy.com.