This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Rocky Mountain Power is warning its customers that crooks posing as customer-service agents are trying to steal personal information.
The scammers are calling Spanish-speaking customers claiming to be from the company. They are informing the potential victims that their bills for electric service have not been paid and that they are in jeopardy of being disconnected.
The scammers advise the customers to make a payment either immediately on the phone, by calling a special number or by going to a local store to purchase a pre-paid card and calling back with the code.
The utility says such requests are not legitimate.
Rocky Mountain Power notes that if one of its agents contacts a customer by phone, the representative will always have the customer's account number. Even then, if the customer has any concerns about the validity of the call, they are advised to hang up and call the company back directly.
Rocky Mountain Power can be reached any time, toll free, at 888-221-7070.
"These scammers are in no way associated with our company, and we take very seriously any efforts to defraud our customers, especially using our company's good customer relationships and reputation," Karen Gilmore, Rocky Mountain Power's vice president of customer relations, said in a statement.
Also, Rocky Mountain Power says that its employees will never demand immediate payment for damaged or broken electrical equipment or any other service.
"Be suspicious of anyone who approaches you and asks for on-the-spot payment, especially if they ask for cash," the statement said. —
To contact Rocky Mountain Power
If you have any concerns about the validity of an encounter with utility representatives, call toll free at 888-221-7070.