Pennsylvania American Water Targets Utility Scammers for National Consumer Protection Week
March 06 2018 - 9:45AM
Business Wire
In conjunction with National Consumer Protection Week,
Pennsylvania American Water today reinforced its efforts to educate
customers about the tricks used by scammers to steal money from
customers and how to guard against falling victim to imposter
utility scams. Pennsylvania American Water joined utility partners
across the country this week to support National Consumer
Protection Week (March 4-10) to raise public awareness.
Scammers can be very convincing and often target those who are
most vulnerable, including senior citizens and low-income
communities. With the right information, customers can learn to
detect and report these predatory scams.
“Too often, we see utility worker imposters prey on customers
using a phony excuse to gain access and rob the homeowner,” said
Pennsylvania American Water Vice President of Operations Jimmy
Sheridan. “Please remember it is extremely rare for a utility
employee to show up at a customer’s home without an appointment. If
someone comes to your door claiming to be from the local utility
and you are not expecting them, do not let them inside without
proper photo identification.”
Pennsylvania American Water is a member of the Utilities United
Against Scams collaborative of more than 100 natural gas, electric,
and water utility companies across the country and Canada. Members
of Utilities United Against Scams (UUAS) work across the utility
industry and with regulators, law enforcement, and other
telecommunications partners to help stop scams targeting utility
customers.
“In a world with constantly improving technological innovations,
it’s critical that customers stay ahead of the ever-expanding array
of threats posed by scammers,” said Utilities United Against Scams
Executive Director and former State Utility Consumer Advocate for
Texas Sheri Givens. “The broad collaboration behind Utilities
United Against Scams, including its recent partnership with the
Federal Trade Commission, is helping to shine a light on this
important issue and is providing resources for customers to
recognize scams and avoid becoming victims.”
How Customers Can Protect Themselves:
- Pennsylvania American Water reminds
customers that its service personnel wear uniforms, drive
company-branded vehicles, and wear photo identification badges with
the company’s logo. Customers are urged to take time to examine the
photo identification tag whenever a Pennsylvania American Water
employee arrives at their home or business. The company does not
accept payment at a customer’s house or business. Residents with
any suspicions about individuals claiming to be utility workers
should call 9-1-1, or Pennsylvania American Water’s customer
service center at 1-800-565-7292.
- If someone threatens immediate
disconnection or shutoff of service, customers should hang up the
phone, delete the email, or shut the door. Customers with
delinquent accounts receive an advance disconnection notification,
typically by mail and included with their regular monthly bill.
Companies never send a single notification one hour or less before
disconnection.
- If customers suspect someone is trying
to scam them, they should hang up, delete the email, or shut the
door. They should call their utility company at the number on their
monthly bill or the company’s website, not the phone number the
scammer provides. If customers ever feel that they are in physical
danger, they should call 911.
Customers who suspect that they have been victims of fraud or
who feel threatened during contact with one of these scammers,
should contact local law enforcement authorities. The Federal
Trade Commission’s website is also a good source of information
about how to protect personal information.
UUAS is dedicated to combating impostor utility scams by
providing a forum for utilities and trade associations to share
data and best practices, in addition to working together to
implement initiatives to inform and protect customers. Visit
www.utilitiesunited.org for more information and tips about how
customers can protect themselves from scams or follow along on
social media: Twitter @U_U_A_S and Facebook
@UtilitiesUnited.
Pennsylvania American Water, a subsidiary of American Water
(NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the
state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater
services to approximately 2.4 million people. With a history dating
back to 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically
diverse U.S. publicly traded water and wastewater utility company.
The company employs more than 6,900 dedicated professionals who
provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and
other related services to an estimated 15 million people in 46
states and Ontario, Canada. American Water provides safe, clean,
affordable and reliable water services to our customers to make
sure we keep their lives flowing. For more information, visit
amwater.com and follow American Water on Twitter, Facebook and
LinkedIn.
View source
version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180306006074/en/
Pennsylvania American WaterWestern Pennsylvania:Gary LobaughT:
724-873-3674M:
724-944-5148gary.lobaugh@amwater.comorEastern/Central
Pennsylvania:Terry MaenzaT: 610-670-7789 ext. 1009M:
610-849-6484terry.maenza@amwater.com
American Water Works (NYSE:AWK)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2024 to Apr 2024
American Water Works (NYSE:AWK)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2023 to Apr 2024