Local deputies say they’ve been fielding calls from people concerned about scammers pretending to work for Southern California Edison.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office says the phone scam works like this: the caller threatens to disconnect electricity service unless a payment is made immediately using a pre-paid cash card.
Sometimes the caller will leave a voicemail that sounds very much like a Southern California Edison voicemail. It sounds as if the call is valid.
If you take one of these calls, the sheriff’s office says you should hang up and call SoCal Edison to verify your account status, then call law enforcement.
Remember this information for similar calls:
- SCE does not accept pre-paid cash cards for bill payments
- Never give personal or financial information to anyone you are not completely sure is legitimate
- Call SCE (or any requesting agency) directly to verify
Related content:
FTC Complaint Assistant
KSBY Scam Central
