Seattle City Light warns of scammers threatening to cut off power
May 22, 2013, 6:01 PM | Updated: 6:35 pm
Seattle City Light is warning customers of a new scam involving con artists who threaten to cut off your power if you don’t pay up.
At least 15 customers say they have received phone calls with a voice on the other end making demands.
“(They’re) suggesting that they have a problem with their account and insisting that they pay for this immediately or they will have their electricity shut off,” explains Seattle City’s Light spokesperson Scott Thomsen.
He says the scammers appear to be targeting Asian small businesses and they ask for payment by pre-paid debit cards, which might not have the same fraud protection as a credit card.
If you get one of these calls, try to get contact information and then call police and Seattle City Light 206-684-3000.
Seattle City Light says it will not shut off a customer’s electricity for one late payment. Before a shut off is ordered, the utility will send the customer at least two written notifications.
