Los Angeles:
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and the Los Angeles Department
of Water and Power (DWP) warn the public of suspect/s who call DWP
customers demanding that they pay their water and power bill with a
pre-paid cash card.
The scam begins when the suspect(s) call Los Angeles area residents
advising them that their water and power bill has not been paid. They
then threaten to immediately turn off the customers’ services unless
payment is made. The suspect(s) demand that the victims go to a nearby
convenience store and purchase a pre-paid cash card. The victims are
instructed to call a dedicated telephone number and read the personal
identification number from the cash card.
Patrick K. Findley, Director, Security Services and Emergency Management
of DWP said, “the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power would never
call a customer and tell them to pay their bill in this manner.” He
continued by saying “We value our customers and want to ensure that they
are not scammed out of their hard-earned money.”
Detectives from LAPD are working in concert with the DWP to locate and
identify the suspects responsible for scamming numerous customers out of
hundreds of dollars. Anyone with information regarding this case or
who may have been a victim of this scam is asked to call their local
police station. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should
be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain
anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).
Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number
274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text
messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to
LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts. For
additional information, please call Patrick K. Findley, DWP at (213)
367-4493.
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