Springfield City Utilities is warning customers about a scam involving phone calls and text messages that falsely claim utility accounts are overdue and at risk of imminent service disconnection.
The reports emerged over the previous two days, according to a community announcement. Officials said in the announcement that scammers have contacted both residential and commercial customers while posing as City Utilities representatives or collection agencies claiming to work on the utility's behalf.
The fraudulent messages are designed to obtain utility account information and, in some cases, pressure customers into making immediate payments. Callers and texters reportedly tell customers their accounts are delinquent and that service will be shut
off within a matter of hours unless payment is made.
Customers are also being directed to unauthorized websites or asked to make cash payments through vendors not approved by the utility.
City Utilities emphasized that it never requests payment through gift cards and does not accept payments through websites other than cityutilities.net.
How customers can protect themselves
Anyone who receives a call or text claiming utility service will be disconnected and questions whether the message is legitimate should end the communication immediately and contact City Utilities at 417-863-9000.
Utility representatives can verify account information and provide guidance on account status.
The utility urged customers to be cautious about sharing personal or financial information with anyone who makes unexpected contact and requests account details or payment.
What to do if you believe you were targeted
Customers who think they may have provided information or made a payment to scammers are encouraged to contact law enforcement authorities.
City Utilities said in the announcement that taking precautions before responding to unexpected calls, texts or payment requests can help protect customer accounts and personal information.
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This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield CU warns of fake disconnection threats to customers
