SCAMMERS TARGET SDG&E CUSTOMERS

By Miriam Raftery

December 8, 2016 (San Diego) – A Santee chiropractor’s office has alerted us to a scam in which a caller posing as a San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) representatives tells the business that a utility bill is past due and tricks them into paying money. The scammers even set up a call-back phone number that they answer as SDG&E, but it’s a hoax, the company warns.

“Unfortunately this is an ongoing nationwide scam,” Elizabeth Beaver from Sempra Energy, parent company of SDG&E, told ECM. “We have warnings and tools for spotting a scammer,” she added, providing this website:  http://sdgenews.com/community-safe/scammers-continue-target-sdge-customers.

Melinda Neill at Brinegar Chiropractic & Massage in Santee provided details about how Dr. Brinegar was conned after the caller asked to speak with him and advised that his payment was late.

“Because he didn't remember the last time he paid it, or if its staff did, or if he received a bill he was worried that his electricity will be shut off as indicated. Wednesdays are his busiest days & so in between patients he went to the nearest place CVS and sent $400. He even called back the number that called him to verify the information. “Disturbingly, she says, the scammers even had his account information.

“Today when Dr. Brimegar called the phone number wouldn't go through. However, when I called  tel:18009052546  it states it's SDG&E recovery & shut off department,” Neill says. When she spoke to a man pretending to be trying to pay her bill, she says they left her on hold for 25 minutes and never came back. A later call went to voicemail. 

When Dr Brinegar later contacted SDG&E, Neill adds, “They said they had nothing to do with this company and that there was nothing they could do.” 

Both SDG&E and Neill asked us to share this information to warn others about these scammers.

“Dr. Brinegar has been in business over 10 years, has never been scammed before and is out $400.00 this holiday season,” Neill said. She adds that the doctor has been giving away free chiropractic adjustments to any patient who brings in an unwrapped toy or gift card worth $10 or more.”He truly is one of the most giving doctors I know.  It is sad when bad things happen to good people,” she concludes. 

Although scammers can be convincing, there are some telltale signs and tips that can help SDG&E customers recognize a call as potentially fraudulent:

• SDG&E always provides past-due notices in writing before service disconnections for non-payment. Even if you are aware of a past-due balance on your account, do not provide any payment information over the phone unless you have initiated the call.
• SDG&E will never proactively call a customer for credit card or other financial information.
• If you receive a call that makes you at all suspicious or uncomfortable, hang up and call SDG&E’s main customer service line at 800-411-7343. Customers can also enroll in My Account to instantly and securely verify account balances.
• SDG&E customer service agents are trained to work with customers to arrange for a payment plan or other payment process and cannot authorize a shut-off without proper written notification. We will never call and demand immediate payment or financial information.

SDG&E asks customers who suspect they were the target of a scam attempt or have been victim to the fraud report the incident to local law enforcement.