IID issues new warning to customers targeted by phone scams

Imperial Irrigation District is warning Coachella Valley customers once again to be on the lookout for scammers, this time using spoofed numbers that connect to the district.

IID Public Information Officer Robert Schettler detailed the scheme and said scammers have threatened to shut off customers' power "unless you pay your power bill, like right now within the next day or so, and run down and get a green card or something like that from a pharmacy or whatever.”

The energy and power company dealt with a string of similar incidents in February, which prompted similar warnings from the company.

Schettler added, "when people see their caller ID or they return the phone call, its actually calling our water division office, which is unusual. This has never happened before."

The company issued a press release today, advising customers to remain vigilant against "unscrupulous individuals."

IID says about 15 to 20 callers each day for the last several days have been returning scam calls, and in doing so, end up reaching one of the district’s water division offices.

The company cautions that the water department is not going to call customers about an electric bill.

Marcy Rivera, who leads the district’s Claims and Investigations Unit, said in a statement "we appreciate our customers who care about their electric service and are trying to take action."

She added, "customers who are concerned about their electric account need to directly connect with the district’s Customer Call Center where our representatives are ready and able to help.”

The Call Center can be reached toll free at 1-800-303-7756 or locally at 1-760-335-3640.

Customers should have their account information available while contacting the company.

In the past, victims of this type of scheme have been tricked into paying scammers.

While IID can’t reimburse victims for any financial losses because it deals with public funds, the company will investigate all reported cases. 

IID's Public Information Officer, Robert Schettler also advises customers to not​​ "be afraid to hang up on people, especially if a call sounds suspicious.”

The company has alerted law enforcement authorities and is working with investigators to get to the bottom of the problem and shut down the scam calls.

Anyone with information is urged to come forward.

Schettler added that IID wants "to not bother our, our customers. And we also want to protect them as best we can.”

Stay with News Channel 3 for more updates.