Avista warns customers of door-to-door scam

Avista urges customers to be alert for anyone pretending to be from Avista. Be aware of anyone who shows up unexpectedly at your home asking for inside access or uses high pressure tactics to demand immediate payment to avoid having your service disconnected.

Red flags for scam activity 

• The scammer does not have an Avista photo ID badge. Avista employees and contractors all carry an Avista photo ID badge.

• You were not contacted prior to their arrival. Avista employees and contractors typically do not need access to the inside of your home unless you have contacted Avista directly about a specific problem. 

• The scammer is not wearing apparel with the Avista logo. Avista employees and contractors will typically have a reflective vest or other apparel with the Avista logo on it.

• The scammer’s vehicle does not have an Avista logo on it. All Avista vehicles and contract vehicles will have the Avista logo present. 

• The scammer instructs the customer to purchase a pre-paid debit or credit card – widely available at retail stores – then call him or her back to supposedly make a utility payment.

 

How to protect yourself 

• Avista never asks or requires a customer to purchase a prepaid debit card to avoid disconnection.

• Customers with a past due account receive an advance disconnection notification with the regular monthly billing – never a single notification one hour before disconnection.

• Customers who suspect or experience fraud, or feel threatened should contact local authorities, and then call Avista’s customer service at (800) 227-9187. The number is listed on Avista’s monthly bill.

• Customers can call Avista at (800) 227-9187 to verify an employee or contractors identity.

• Visit myavista.com for additional information and learn how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of a scam. 

 

About Avista Utilities

Avista Utilities is involved in the production, transmission and distribution of energy. We provide energy services and electricity to 379,000 customers and natural gas to 342,000 customers in a service territory that covers 30,000 square miles in eastern Washington, northern Idaho and parts of southern and eastern Oregon, with a population of 1.6 million.  Avista Utilities is an operating division of Avista Corp. (NYSE: AVA). For more information, please visit www.myavista.com.

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