PHOENIX — If you’re getting ready to travel for the Fourth of July or later this summer, beware because SRP says this is prime season for scammers.
The utility service says in the middle of excessive heat warnings, scammers claim to be SRP and threaten to shut off your power if you don’t pay a fake bill.
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Unfortunately, it’s a situation that is all too familiar. Tracy Clifford was targeted last summer.
“It’s not about the money,” said Clifford. “It's about, you know, just the violation and how somebody could do this.”
The person claiming to be from SRP told Clifford if she didn’t pay nearly $400 using a banking app, her power would be shut off within an hour. So, she made the payment.
“They do prey on people's fear,” Clifford said.
Clifford decided to speak with 12News because she wants others to be aware of the scam, so they don’t make the same mistake.
Jackie Castrellon has worked for SRP for 20 years. She said the utility does not use those kinds of tactics.
“We don’t do that,” said Castrellon. “We’re not threatening.”
Last summer during a period of just 48 hours, SRP said it got more than 150 reports from customers about similar calls. Some people reported getting duped out of lots of money.
Castrellon said it can cost some people thousands of dollars.
If you wind up getting targeted, she recommends reaching out to SRP directly.
“You can always hang up,” Castrellon said. “Give us a call, and then we can go through the account with you.
She also has a word of advice for what you shouldn’t do.
“Sometimes people figure, you know, I have a busy weekend coming up, I’m just going to pay it and I’ll deal with it later,” said Castrellon. “…definitely not.”
She said the best thing you can do is call SRP and they’ll clear it up for you.
SRP officials tell 12News they never ask anyone for immediate payment. Customers who are at risk of losing their service will always receive one or more notices by mail or email.
Also, SRP doesn’t take payments through Zelle, MoneyPak, Cash App or Bitcoin, so if the caller asks for payment through one of those methods, it's a red flag.
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