Electricity and natural gas provide more than modern comforts so it’s no surprise that scammers love to target utility customers. A threat of service disconnection can be scary and stressful – and scammers want to capitalize on vulnerability. They’ll try anything to get us to give up our personal information and access our finances.
Follow the advice below to help protect yourself from scams:
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Hang up when you receive a high-pressure phone call threatening to disconnect. Avista notifies customers at risk of service interruption prior to the date of disconnect.
- Do not rush to the store for a prepaid cash card or money transfer to prevent disconnection. Avista offers payment options and would never demand payment via a particular method.
- Ask to see the Avista ID badge of anyone who comes to your door claiming to work with us. All Avista employees and contractors are required to carry photo ID.
- Delete suspicious emails or text messages from senders you do not recognize, even if they are branded with our logo. Clicking links inside scam messages may install malware and viruses on your device.
- Never share personal or financial information with an unknown party or business. Scammers target those in need, offering assistance that does not exist.
We don’t want you to fall victim to a utility scam and are here to help keep you safe. Call us at (800) 227-9187 or visit us online at myavista.com to verify the status of your account. Remember, when in doubt, give us a shout.