The Brownsville Public Utilities Board (BPUB) is warning customers of a recent increase in scam calls.
According to BPUB, scammers are spoofing BPUB numbers and threatening to disconnect customers and other residents to collect past due payments through third-party payment methods.
Over the last few days, BPUB’s Call Center received roughly 500 calls from customers and other residents across the Rio Grande Valley who reported a call from a spoofed BPUB phone number. The calls are spoofed using BPUB’s (956) 983-6121 phone number, BPUB said in a press release.
The release states when customers answer, they receive an automated Spanish-speaking voice message directing them to click “1” to speak to an agent. Once the agent connects with the customer, they ask for personal information to confirm their identity. Customers who confirm their identity and proceed with the call are directed to send them money via Zelle or a dot. Card.
BPUB urges customers to be cautious whenever speaking to a live operator through an unsolicited call by someone claiming to work for BPUB. BPUB will never seek payment via the telephone, especially not through Zelle, Cash App, PayPal, dot. Card or any other prepaid card or mobile payment service.
BPUB will also never request to confirm your personal information via telephone or threaten…