City of Austin Issues Another Scam Warning

City of Austin Utilities wants all customers to be aware of individuals posing as City of Austin or Austin Energy employees. These scammers are trying to take advantage of customers and steal money from them.
 
This week, several commercial and residential customers have called the Utilities Customer Contact Center reporting that they have received multiple calls from someone claiming to be with the City or Austin Energy. The scammers tell customers that they owe money and that their utilities will be cut off if immediate payment is not made.
 
Customers are being asked to call a 1-800 number to make payments with a MoneyPak card or credit card. They specifically mentioned Dollar General at 9616 N. Lamar, CVS, Walgreens and told customers to ask for Joshua O’Connor or Greg Sullivan. At least one commercial customer fell for the scam.  

Six things to know:

1. The City of Austin Utilities Customer Contact Center does not call customers with cut-off deadlines.
2. We will never ask for credit card or wire transfer information over the phone.
3. While some customers do pay in cash, the City will never demand immediate payment in person with cash, gift card or Bitcoin.
4. City of Austin Utilities accepts mail-in or walk-in payments or payments online at www.coautilities.com.
5. 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. 
6. Anyone who has received such a call or email and is uncertain of his or her account status can call the City of Austin Utilities Customer Contact Center at 512-494-9400.

Austin Energy manages the City of Austin utility billing for water, electric and other services.
 
Customers can make payments at the City’s two walk-in service centers or the following authorized locations: most Austin H-E-B stores, ACE Cash Express, Money Box, Fiesta Mart and Randall’s.
 
City of Austin walk-in service centers:

Utility Service Center (east branch) Rosewood-Zaragosa Center, 2800 Webberville Road, Suite 110, Austin, Texas 78702

Utility Customer Service Center (north branch), 8716 Research Blvd, Suite 115, Austin, Texas 78758 (near Ohlen Road and Highway 183)

Staff at authorized locations will ask for the customer’s name, address utility account number or a combination of those identifiers before accepting payment. Balance information can only be provided to an account holder with a photo ID.