AUSTIN, Texas — Amid winter weather this week, Austin Energy is urging customers to be aware of scams.
“City of Austin Utilities has suspended disconnections for non-payment for the remainder of the week in preparation for the winter storm,” Austin Energy said. “Scammers are using the storm as a scare tactic to get money. Don’t fall for it.”
Austin Energy says scammers will usually attempt to warn customers that their utilities will be disconnected if they fail to make an immediate payment, usually by using a reloadable prepaid debit card or other non-traceable form of payment. They’ll often use valid-looking phone numbers, official-looking letterheads or bills, graphics, uniforms and other forms of fraudulent identification.
The utility provided the following tips:
