TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) -- Tucson Electric Power is reminding its customers about scammers who pose as TEP employees.
The scammers try to solicit payment by phone calls, texts, and letters.
According to a release, in the past year more than 170 customers have been contacted by scammers and more than a dozen have sent money.
Callers claim to work for TEP and threaten to disconnect service for unpaid bills or damaged meters.
They tell customers to pay over the phone or with a pre-paid money card in a short amount of time to avoid shut off.
Sometimes scammers are using ID spoofing software that disguises phone calls or texts to make them look as though they are from TEP.
The callers may pressure customers to make large payments within a short amount of time by using an angry or urgent tone of voice.
TEP says customers should simply hang up or delete messages they receive. TEP does NOT use these methods to collect payment.
The only time TEP will contact customers by phone is with an automated reminder about payment as a courtesy. They will never demand payment over the phone.
If a customer has a question about the scams or their bill they can call TEP at 520-623-7711.
