Grand Canyon Times

Arizona Public Service (APS) is taking action during National Consumer Protection Week to help residents identify and avoid scams targeting utility customers. Scammers often use public information from social media to make their schemes more convincing, aiming to steal identities and money.

APS warns of four common tactics used by fraudsters:

1. Threats of immediate power disconnection: Scammers demand immediate payment via prepaid debit cards, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or third-party digital payment apps. APS assures that it never specifies a payment method and provides multiple notices for overdue accounts.

2. Spoofing: Fraudsters manipulate caller ID to appear as if they are contacting customers from legitimate service providers or community organizations. APS advises customers not to return calls or texts from suspicious numbers but instead contact the utility directly using official phone numbers listed on its website or bills.

3. Digital scams: These include text messages with QR codes or links purportedly sent by utility representatives for bill payments. APS cautions against opening such links and recommends contacting the utility directly for billing inquiries.

4. Fake sponsored ads: Fraudulent ads may lead to fake bill payment pages resembling those of APS. Customers should navigate directly to aps.com rather than clicking on these ads.

Additionally, scammers may go door-to-door pretending to be APS employees or partners selling products. APS employees carry photo IDs, and customers can verify their identity by calling official APS numbers rather than any number provided by the visitor.

APS urges anyone targeted by scams to report incidents to local law enforcement and the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. In cases of physical danger, calling 911 is advised.

For more information on how to protect against scams, visit aps.com/scams. APS is part of Utilities United Against Scams, an organization comprising over 150 utilities dedicated to raising awareness about fraudulent activities.