AUSTIN, Texas — Austin Energy is warning its residents about scammers calling customers and demanding they pay their phone bills.
The city’s electric utility said several residential and commercial customers have reported receiving phone calls from someone claiming to be from City of Austin Utilities or Austin Energy, demanding payment of their utility bill within a half-hour, or power will be shut off.
The scammers ask for a credit card, gift card or bank account information to complete a payment.
Four things to know about your City of Austin utility bill:
The City of Austin Utilities Customer Contact Center does not call customers with cut-off deadlines.
We will never ask for credit card or wire transfer information over the phone.
City of Austin Utilities accepts mail-in or walk-in payments or payments online
If a City of Austin customer receives a phone call threatening to interrupt service, demand immediate payment, or request credit card or bank account information, hang up and dial 3-1-1 or 512-974-2000 and report the incident immediately.