EUGENE, Ore. (KMTR) – The Eugene Water and Electric Board (EWEB) wants to warn customers of a scammer calling people and asking for money. EWEB says a couple of customers have called them about the scam and they want to warn others.
From what EWEB knows so far, the scammer started calling people on Friday. He tells customers they owe money on their bill and if they don't pay up, their utilities will be shut off.
EWEB says at least two customers have reported the scam. Fortunately, both saw through it and didn't send any money. According to their reports, the caller claims to work for EWEB. He instructs the customer to go to a Western Union location, call an out-of-area phone number and wire money to a fake business. EWEB says they'd never ask a customer to do anything like that.
“EWEB never asks customers to wire money for bills anywhere,” says Joe Harwood, External Communications Coordinator with EWEB. “We would never do that. Generally if someone gets behind on a bill, that person knows it because we'll send them reminders in the mail.”
Harwood says in extreme cases, if customers get far behind on their bills, they may get a call from EWEB, but they'd only be asked to pay with a credit card over the phone or come to EWEB to make a payment in person.
"Here we are, still in the middle of winter. I'd just really hate to see someone get taken. That would be really unfortunate,” added Harwood.
EWEB says similar phishing scams have happened in the past. If you think you've been the victim or if you've received any similar phone calls, you're asked to call EWEB Customer Service at 541 685-7000.
