Don't be a Victim

There are a variety of scams targeting utility customers in Oklahoma and many other states. The City of Edmond does not contact customers by phone or email to demand personal information or immediate payment through a pre-paid debit card.

If there is any doubt about the authenticity of a call or email appearing to be from the City of Edmond, immediately contact our Utility Customer Service Department at (405) 359-4541 or verify your account status online. If the communication is deemed fraudulent, please report it to the Edmond Police Department at (405) 359-4338.

Common Scams

Door-to-Door Scam

Utilities also report scams in which someone shows up at a home pretending to be on a service call. Do not allow someone into your home or on your property if you do not have a scheduled appointment. If you do not have a scheduled appointment, we strongly advise you to not open the door. And if you do have an appointment, always ask to see a valid ID. In most instances, scammers will quickly depart if you inform them you are calling to confirm their identity.

Email Scam

The emails appear to come from legitimate utility companies but are phishing attempts to gather personal information. They often contain the subject line “Energy Statement” or something similar and are designed to resemble a monthly bill. These messages are phony and may contain malicious malware. Customers who receive an email that looks different from their normal bill, or seems suspicious in any way, should not click on any links and delete it immediately.

Energy Audit Scam

Customers should be cautious of unsolicited calls to their homes from companies claiming to conduct energy audits. These telemarketing firms could be a third-party company or use the utility’s name to gain access to homes and to sell their services with the promise of governmental rebates.

The City of Edmond does conduct free energy audits, but only at the customer’s request. City of Edmond employees will be driving a clearly marked utility vehicle. Unsolicited phone call complaints regarding energy audits can be referred to the Oklahoma Attorney General's office at oag.ok.gov. To schedule a legitimate energy audit, please call (405) 359-4541.

Federal Assistance Scam

This scam features a phony nationwide program that promises to credit or pay utility bills in exchange for personal information, including Social Security numbers. The scam, which has been reported in a number of states, claims that the President is providing credits or applying payments to utility bills. Customers are also being reached by text messages, social media and email.

Online Bill Pay Scam

This scam involves emails containing mock links to online bills and asks for additional information before collecting payment. If you receive your bills online, compare your latest emails, and beware of links that redirect you to other websites. Remember, you can safely view your bills online by logging directly into your City of Edmond account.

Phone Payment Scam

Customers receive a call telling them their electric service is scheduled for immediate disconnection and they need to make a payment by purchasing a pre-paid debit card to use for payment. After the customer purchases the card, he or she is told to call back and provide a receipt and PIN number. Once that information is obtained, the money on the card is then transferred to those behind the scheme. Small businesses are targeted during peak business hours to catch employees off guard to gain account information and instill fear that power will be turned off.

Power Factor Scam

These scammers market an electricity-saving device that you attach to your electrical system. The device claims to lower your electricity bill by up to 30 percent, by altering the power factor of the electricity being used in your home. The devices — sometimes referred to as Amp Reduction Units or KVARs — are solicited as good investments because they reduce the amount of current drawn from power lines while providing the necessary amount of current to appliances inside the house.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology warns customers that these "savers" do not actually provide any savings. According to customer reviews, the devices do less to lower your electricity bill and more to take money out of your pocket for startup costs.