SRP warning of new email scam

PHOENIX — The Salt River Project is warning customers about a potential new scam.

With the summer heat upon the Valley and air conditioners constantly running, keeping up on utility bills might be in the forefront of many people’s minds. Spokesman Jeff Lane with SRP said the company is warning people not to fall for a new email scam.

“This is a little bit different,” he said. “A lot of the scams that utilities have been hit with in recent months and years have been more in the way of phone calls,” Lane said.

He said emails are being sent to people that look like they’re from utility companies seeking to get money from unsuspecting customers.

“The scam involves an email sent to utility customers requesting that they view an online bill and then make a payment,” he said.

Some of the emails are looking for more than just money, though, and are targeting personal information.

“The links in the email send customers to fraudulent websites,” he explained. “From that, they attempt to steal passwords and bank account information.”

Lane added SRP never asks for payment or personal information through emails or through emailed links.
If customers receive a suspicious email they should report it to SRP by calling (602) 236-8888.

Lane said the company wanted to forewarn people about the scam emails because of similar cases affecting other utility companies around the country. So far, there have been no reports of SRP customers being affected.