Please help spread the word about this scam targeting Hispanic and non-English speaking BPU customers! Fake Utilities Phone Scam Targeting Hispanic BPU Customers (KANSAS CITY, Ks.) — The Kansas City Board of Public Utilities (BPU) is warning customers about a phone scam targeting Hispanic customers. Hispanic BPU customers have received calls from the BPU Customer Service number, 913-573-9190 impersonating BPU personnel trying to collect money for replacing electric meters or adding surge protectors to customer’s homes. The person is asking customers to purchase a $350/$500Green Dot Card and asking them to have the card account information available when he calls back. The person told potential victims if the information was not given within four hours, their electricity would be shut off or their home would blow up. “This individual is targeting non-English speaking customers and attempting to scare them with such an outrageous threat,” stated David Mehlhaff, BPU Chief Communications Officer. “There are phone apps available that allow people to enter another person’s number so when you call someone, your number doesn’t show up but the number you inserted does.” BPU bilingual customer service representatives are taking customer calls and reassuring them that this is a scam and warning them to not give out any personal information to this individual. Please contact BPU or call the police if you believe you have been the target of this or any scam. BPU is working with the proper authorities to address this issue.
Posted on: Wed, 14 Aug 2013 03:08:31 +0000