The more you know, the more you can say NO to scams
Every month we receive calls from customers claiming that someone has contacted them on our behalf in an attempt to scam them out of their hard earned money. Unfortunately, this type of criminal activity happens far too often and many times criminals are successful at getting unsuspecting customers to pay. Truth is, we will never call customers and demand immediate payment or threaten to cut off their service if our demands are not met. Instead, we will call customers and provide them with a courtesy reminder that their bill is past due.
Customers can stay informed as to the status of their account through My Energy Portal found on Manage My Account. This is a secure portal that displays account information.
Recently, we became a member of the award-winning Utilities United Against Scams (UUAS). This partnership strengthens our efforts to remind customers of the tactics scammers use to steal money from customers and to educate them on how they can guard against falling victim to impostor utility scams.
UUAS, a consortium of more than 100 U.S. and Canadian electric, water, and natural gas companies (and their respective trade associations), continues to raise awareness of utility scams targeting customers. The third annual Utility Scam Awareness Day is recognized on Wednesday, November 14, and is supported by a week-long advocacy and awareness campaign focused on exposing the tactics of scammers.
The issue of scammers is not only isolated to our customers locally, but rather, it’s an activity that affects all utility customers. Partnering with UUAS allows us to sync our messages with utilities across the country in an effort to inform our customers what action to take when confronted with suspicious individuals posing as CPS Energy employees.
UUAS and its member companies have helped to shut down more than 2,200 Toll-Free Numbers used by scammers against utility customers. The group recently was awarded the Toll-Free Industry’s Fraud Fighter Award in recognition of its advocacy and awareness campaign to stop scams that target electric, water, and natural gas company customers.
Customers who suspect that they have been victims of fraud or who feel threatened during contact with one of these scammers should contact CPS Energy or local law enforcement authorities. Also, customers should never purchase a prepaid debit card or gift card to avoid service disconnection or shutoff. Legitimate utility companies do not specify how customers should make a bill payment, and they always offer a variety of ways to pay a bill, including accepting payments online, by phone, automatic bank draft, mail, or in person.
If someone calls, texts, appears, or emails saying you have to pay your bill immediately to avoid disconnection, tell them you would like to verify that they are a legitimate utility company representative by calling a verified number for the utility company.
Customers who feel they may be a victim of a scam should call CPS Energy at 210-353-2222.
Customers can keep up to date on the latest CPS Energy news and information through their social media channels, website and by subscribing to our Newsroom.
