AUSTIN — Austin Energy is warning customers of yet another scam, this time it's coming in the form of an email.
The service provider said three City of Austin utility customers have now come forward to report emails that appear to be from Austin Energy on first glance. The emails use the Austin Energy logo, claiming to be a disconnect notice with a disconnect number. In the message, customers are asked to call an 888 number. When called, the message on that phone line sounds as if the caller has contacted Austin Energy.
Austin Energy said the emails also contained a QR code. When scanned, it takes a customer to a Bitcoin site. The service provider said the City does not ask customers to pay for their bills using Bitcoin.
The new scam comes after reports of illegitimate phone calls and one report of a door-to-door visit demanding money and threatening to cut off services if immediate payment was not made over the phone.
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Over the last three weeks, the City of Austin Utilities Customer Care Call Center has received nearly 300 calls from customers about various scams.
Austin Energy provided the following tips to help protect yourself against a possible scam:
- If you receive a phone call or email threatening to interrupt service, demanding immediate payment, or requesting credit card, Bitcoin or bank account information, hang up and dial 311 or 512-974-2000 and report the incident immediately.
- If you are uncertain of your account status, visit our Online Customer Care Portal or call 512-494-9400.
- Payments can also be made by calling 1-800-959-7063, which connects the customer to the City of Austin’s automated utilities payment service (Bill Matrix) to make a payment via credit or debit card or electronic check. City of Austin customer service representatives may give customers this web address or phone number but will NOT ask for a customer’s credit card number to accept payment.
- Protect yourself. City of Austin staff will never ask you to buy a gift card and read off the numbers to them.
- Customers can make payments at the City’s two walk-in service centers or the following authorized locations: most Austin H-E-B stores, ACE Cash Express, Money Box, Fiesta Mart and Randall’s. Staff at authorized locations will ask to see the customer’s utility bill statement before accepting payment.
City of Austin walk-in service centers
- Utility Service Center (east branch) Rosewood-Zaragosa Center -- 2800 Webberville Road, Suite 110, Austin, Texas 78702
- Utility Customer Service Center (north branch) -- 8716 Research Blvd, Suite 115, Austin, Texas 78758
