Full Notification

Aggressive scammers continue to call Tustin area restaurants claiming to be from Southern California Edison attempting to collect payment for past due charges. When the business owner refuses, the scammer becomes angry and threatens to disconnect power to the business. The caller makes multiple calls harassing the business owner until the debt is paid.

In early 2014, Tustin PD received numerous calls from Tustin residents reporting a similar scheme in which the caller, claiming to be from the IRS, demanded payment for taxes. In these scenarios, the caller threatened to send the police to arrest the resident if they did not pay.

NEITHER THE IRS NOR UTILITY COMPANIES WILL CONTACT YOU DEMANDING IMMEDIATE PAYMENT. THEY WILL NOT REQUEST PAYMENT VIA GREEN DOT MONEY PAK CARDS.

Green Dot Money Pak cards are reloadable debit cards, which are not linked to a specific bank account. They are virtually untraceable once money is loaded onto the card.

Tips to avoid becoming a victim:

• Verify the authenticity of the caller prior to giving any personal information. Request the caller’s name, department and business phone number. Confirm the information by calling the organization at a phone number found on the Internet or your billing statement. If the caller refuses to provide this information, customers should terminate the call and report the incident immediately to local police.

• Be wary of anyone attempting to collect a debt by telephone or by e-mail.

• Most organizations will not accept payment via prepaid card.

• Seniors are more susceptible to be victimized, so keep your elderly relatives informed on the latest scams.

• Southern California Edison advises customers who have been victimized to report the incident online to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force at StopFraud.gov. and to contact SCE at 800-655-4555.