The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission is warning city customers of a recent phone scam involving water bills.
The utilities commission, which manages drinking water for San Francisco residents, has heard from several dozen customers in recent days saying they have received a call from someone impersonating a representative of “S.F. Utilities.”
The person claiming to be a representative threatens to shut off water service unless an immediate cash payment is made, according to the SFPUC. Customers have been told to make a payment at Walgreens, CVS and Rite Aid stores in The City.
The SFPUC never directs customers to pay their water bills in person anywhere outside of authorized payment locations, and is not making those calls, agency officials said.
Click here to view a list of SFPUC authorized payment options and locations.
The SFPUC said there is no evidence of a breach of private customer information. The incidents have been reported to the San Francisco Police Department, the FBI and the Federal Trade Commission.
Customers who receive these calls and wish to report them directly to law enforcement should contact the Federal Trade Commission at (877) 382-4357.
Customers who have questions about their water bill should call the SFPUC customer service line at (415) 551-3000.