If you live in APS territory, you’ll want to take note of this:
From: Media Relations (MediaRelations)
Sent: Wednesday, October 26, 2016 1:13 PM
Subject: CONSUMER ALERT: NEW SCAM TARGETING APS CUSTOMERS STATEWIDE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 26, 2016
Consumer Alert:
New Scam Targeting APS Customers STATEWIDE
90 incidents reported in last 10 days
PHOENIX – APS issued a warning today about a new scam where criminals
masquerading as APS employees are calling customers demanding immediate
payment of their electric bill under the threat of having their power turned
off. Potential victims are instructed to purchase prepaid cards in a
specific amount, and then call a special number to make the payment. In some
instances, the call back number goes to an automated phone system that acts
and sounds like the actual APS Customer Care Center.
While it is impossible to know how many customers have been targeted or have
fallen for the scam, APS security has received reports of more than 90
incidents across the state in the past 10 days. APS encourages customers who
have been targeted to report the incident to local law enforcement along
with APS at (602) 371-7171 or (800) 240-2014 (outside metro-Phoenix).
To keep customers from becoming a victim of consumer scams, APS provides the
following guidance<https://support.aps.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/175>:
* APS never requires payment via a prepaid card.
* The only valid phone numbers to call the APS Customer Care Center
are listed on customer bills and at aps.com<http://www.aps.com/>.
* If there is ever a question about the validity of an email,
website or person claiming to be an APS representative, call the APS
Customer Care Center immediately at (602) 371-7171 to verify this
information.
* Recognize the signs of a phishing email: mismatched fonts, missing
hyperlinks, improper grammar and misspellings.
* Never share credit card information with an unverified source.
Customers who pay by credit card at aps.com<http://www.aps.com/> will be
directed to the KUBRA EZ-Pay website, which asks them to enter a “captcha”
validation code. A “captcha” typically uses a set of letters and numbers
that the user is required to manually retype and submit. Any other credit
card payment site is fraudulent and should not be used.
APS<http://www.aps.com/> serves about 2.7 million people in 11 of Arizona’s
15 counties, and is the Southwest’s foremost producer of clean, safe and
reliable electricity. Using a balanced energy mix that is nearly 50 percent
carbon-free, APS has one of the country’s most substantial renewable energy
portfolios, and owns and operates the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station,
the country’s top power producer and largest producer of carbon-free energy.
The company is also a proven leader in introducing technology and services
that offer customers choice and control over their energy consumption. With
headquarters in Phoenix, APS is the principal subsidiary of Pinnacle West
Capital Corp.<http://www.pinnaclewest.com> (NYSE: PNW).
Media Contact:
Steven Gotfried
(602) 250-3040
Website:
