Eastern Municipal Water District ratepayers were advised Monday to take precautions against scam artists posing as representatives of the utility, seeking bill payments via online vendors not associated with the district.
Customers have reported receiving calls from unknown parties using unrecognized phone numbers recently, with the callers stating water and sewer payments are required at once to prevent service disconnections, officials said.
The fraudsters instruct ratepayers to release funds “via peer-to-peer mobile payment application that is connected directly to the customer’s bank account, such as Zelle, PayPal or Venmo.”
“EMWD never has, and never would, request bill payments in this manner,” the utility stated.
Officials advised anyone who receives such calls or messages to ignore them, and if they have questions or concerns, to call the EMWD Customer Service Department at 800-426-3693.
Updates on account balances are available by calling 951-383-6055.
Online payments can be made at www.myaccount.emwd.org.
“Protecting our customers’ account and financial information is something EMWD places as the highest priority,” EMWD Board of Directors President Phil Paule said. “EMWD is actively working to investigate these calls and remains committed to offering our customers a safe and secure method to pay their account balances through our website and automated phone systems.”