Officials Warn of Increase in Impersonator Scams

Glendale Water and Power are asking their customers to remain vigilant in the wake of an increasing volume of phone calls from reported scammers, Officials said Tuesday.

Customers report impersonators have been requesting payment on their utility bills, or they will face a cut off in services. The impersonators request payment over the phone with a credit card, or are instructed to purchase a money card and call the impersonator back, officials said in a statement.

Some customers are reportedly being visited by GWP representatives at their homes and being called by contractors about incentives, trying to entice the intended victim to enroll, officials said.

The impersonators may also be using "spoofing software" to hide their caller ID tag, officials said.

"Glendale Water & Power wants to remind its customers that we never call customers to ask them to pay their bills over the phone or face disconnection," officials said. "Customers are urged to call the police and report such calls or call GWP to verify their account."

Officials offer these tips to verify if someone contacting you is a GWP employee:

• All GWP employees will always show their GWP identification, which includes the employee’s photo.
• At all times GWP employees will provide the GWP’s office number if someone wants to verify their identity.
• GWP employees mitigating meter issues can enter private property and will arrive in GWP marked vehicles between 7:00am and 6:00 p.m.
• GWP employees never call customers and ask for payment information over the phone, payments can be made through our website and through our telephone IVR system, never with a live person.
• Only on rare occasions would GWP employees need to enter a resident’s home.
• GWP employees never enter a home to check water quality.
• Water quality visits are never unscheduled, and water is tested at the outdoor hose bib.
• For incentive program information GWP customers should visit www.GlendaleWaterAndPower.com.
• Contractors of GWP will make appointments with business customers prior to any visit.
• GWP does not visit residential customers to solicit program enrollment.

Anyone who thinks they may have been a victim, or were at least an intended victim should call the Glendale Police Department at (818) 548-4840, or call the GWP to verify their account at (818) 548-3300.

To learn about GWP safety and payment procedures, click here.