Full Notification

GARDENA, Calif. (Nov. 21, 2012) – Golden State Water Company today issued an alert after receiving a report from a customer of a scam occurring in an unincorporated section of southwest Los Angeles County near Gardena.

An unknown man carrying a clipboard allegedly threatened to have the customer’s water service shut off if a $200 fee wasn’t paid immediately.

Fortunately, the customer refused to pay and the man left the premises.

Golden State is urging all customers to request identification before allowing a utility worker in their home. Customers should contact the utility to verify that the worker is there for legitimate business purposes.

Here are some general tips to prevent customers from becoming victims:

Ask employees to show their identification. Sometimes employees need to gain access to the property to read a meter, check for leaks, or restore service. All Golden State Water Company employees carry company-issued photo identification badges at all times. Most wear uniforms and drive vehicles with the company logo.

Ask contractors to show their identification. If there ever is concern about whether someone claiming to be working on behalf of Golden State Water Company actually works for the company, ask to see his or her company photo identification, or call Golden State’s 24-hour Customer Service Center at 1-800-999-4033.

Be careful with sharing personal information. If someone asks for personal information such as a checking account number, be suspicious. The Better Business Bureau recommends not sharing that information unless you initiated the contact and are confident in the other person’s identity and credibility.

To report suspicious activity, please contact your local police or sheriff’s department.

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Golden State Water Company, a subsidiary of American States Water Company (AWR) provides water service to approximately 1 out of every 36 Californians located within 75 communities throughout 10 counties in Northern, Coastal and Southern California (approximately 256,000 customers). The Company also distributes electricity to more than 23,000 customers in the Big Bear recreational area of California. AWR’s contracted services subsidiary, American States Utility Services, Inc., provides operations, maintenance and construction management services for water and wastewater systems located on military bases throughout the country.