Seattle City Light urges customers to use caution to avoid scammers

Seattle City Light is reminding customers to protect their personal financial information to avoid becoming a victim ofscammers posing as City Light employees.

City Light produced the following video in collaboration with the Seattle Police Department featuring tips on how to protect yourself.

When a customer is past due on a bill, Seattle City Light will take steps to notify the customer multiple times before shutting off power. Seattle City Light will always direct customers to the secure online payment system at www.seattle.gov/light or to call (206) 684-3000 to make a payment.

Seattle City Light employees will never ask for payment in person and will always be able to produce identification if informing a customer in-person of a past-due bill.

During winter, scammers may attempt to take advantage of the perfect storm of higher heating bills that come with lower temperatures. Scammers may demand thousands of dollars and threaten to shut off power if payment isn’t made immediately.

Vulnerable residents, including non-English speaking individuals, elderly people, and small-business owners may be targeted by scammers. These threats can take place over the phone, by email or in person at customer homes and businesses. Some scammers use caller ID impersonating Seattle City Light’s customer service number to convince customers that they are talking to the utility.

“We have a great team that works hard to make sure your service is provided safely and securely,” says Kelly Enright, Director of Customer Care at Seattle City Light. “If you’re ever in doubt when you receive a suspicious call, hang up and reach out to us directly. By initiating the call, you’ll have more confidence in who you’re speaking with on the other end of the line.”

If customers have concerns about the validity of a contact and want to ensure they’re talking to Seattle City Light, they are encouraged to call Seattle City Light directly at (206) 684-3000. Learn more about how to avoid becoming a victim at: www.seattle.gov/light/EndScams.