Scammers continue to target utility customers.  In the most common scam, a caller will portray he or she is collecting a past due amount, demands immediate payment and threatens to disconnect service if payment is not made. The caller requests payment be made by money order, credit card or cash card and may even ask the customer to use a specific type of payment card.
 
Benton PUD does not contact customers by telephone and request immediate payment to avoid disconnection when an account is past due.
 
Please watch out:

• Callers are very convincing. They are persistent and ask questions to gain more information from the customer to be used in future calls.   
• Don’t be convinced the caller is from a utility because they are able to quote utility policies or procedures. Scammers obtain information so they may sound more official when they call.
• Scammers will quote bill amounts and due dates, when actually they use fictitious, untrue information to sound credible. 
• Don’t rely on caller ID as it can easily be spoofed.

 
The best way to confirm a call is legitimate is to hang up and call Benton PUD’s customer service department at 582-2175.