The Hermiston Police Department is warning residents to be aware of a scam circulating in the area.
According to HPD officer Erica Sandoval, Umatilla Electric Cooperative customers are receiving phone calls from a service claiming to be from Pacific Power Electric and asking for payment to prevent their services from disconnection. Sandoval said customers are directed to call 1-888-582-0003 to “resolve” the issue.
“When I Googled the number, it came back to a variety of sources, so I decided to call,” she said. “Upon calling the number, it was picked up by an auto-attendant that gives you a menu of options. For example, press one for payments and billings, two for service, three, etc. I pressed one and after a few seconds of hold music, a “customer service representative,” who would later tell me his name is “Jesse Cross,” answered and asked me for my address.
“As the call continued, I attempted to get information to verify who he was and where he was calling from, which he provided calmly and, for all intents and purposes, professionally and courteous. However, most of the information – which included his location at a call center for Pacific Power at 638 S. Highway 396 – was false. Even when confronted with some of the discrepancies and AFTER I identified myself as a police officer and the purpose of the call, the rep did not break character and responded to my questions and concerns.
I’ve attached a link to a recording of part of the call to show how “real” these scammers can sound.
Sandoval urged everyone to be on alert for the scam calls.
“They may change in the information they use, with more and more using actual companies or agencies you recognize – even your local police department – but they are all looking for the same thing – a payout,” Sandoval said. “If you receive a similar call claiming your services may be cut, DO NOT MAKE A PAYMENT. You may tell the caller that you understand and will be calling your company directly to verify the issue. If they get insistent or call you back, tell them to not call back and you will be reporting it to the police. But the one, most important thing you can do is to NOT give them any money. Do not ever send money, wire money or provide bank information.”
Sandoval said if anyone is concerned about their electric utilities or services or have any questions regarding their power/electric services, they should contact their local customer service department for assistance:
Hermiston Energy Services: 541-289-2000
Umatilla Electric Cooperative: (541) 567-6414 or 1-800-452-2273
Pacific Power (residential): 1-888-221-7070
