Fake PNM calls threaten to cut off your power
Beware the PNM imposter who calls on a Friday. The utility says during the past two weeks, it has received more than 300 reports from business customers, primarily in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Rio Rancho. However, it has also heard from business and residential customers throughout the state.
The callers spoof a PNM number to make their scheme appear more legitimate and have similarly bogus messaging when the victim calls back. They threaten to disconnect power unless a payment is made and sometimes ask that it be paid by prepaid gift card, through PayPal or with a credit card number read over the phone.
They’re often calling on Fridays, “threatening disconnection of service over the weekend unless (the customers) pay within a small window of time, leaving customers to panic and often pay up, even when all the signs of a scam are present.”
PNM notes that it does not disconnect on weekends or holidays. It advises customers to check their bill. “If you have not received a bond disconnect notice on page 1, it’s a scam.
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Don’t be fooled.
The University of New Mexico will not call you on the phone and offer a free home health alert system.
A Journal reader got one of these calls, which had been spoofed to look like it really was coming from UNM. The reader answered the phone only because his wife was a patient at UNM Hospital and he didn’t want to miss what might have been a legitimate call.
“We do not offer home health alert systems.” says Alex Sanchez, Health Sciences Center spokeswoman.
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Vietnamese-owned nail salons are the targets of a scam in which bogus state inspectors are threatening owners with closure if they do not pay hundreds of dollars.
Ten shops have been on the receiving end, and while none has forked over the funds, it’s possible the scammers could move on to “target other communities, or even other businesses that undergo inspections, like restaurants,” says an alert by the state Regulation and Licensing Department.
The aspiring thieves are claiming to work for the Regulation and Licensing Department or the New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists.
They have demanded payments of up to $1,200, instructing owners to get a money order or prepaid cash card.
Scammers often use fraudulent documents, including letters and settlement agreements, that look real because they have been copied from authentic state materials, the alert said.
“It’s repugnant that a common criminal would prey on small business owners, much less to do so by impersonating one of our state inspectors,” Mike Unthank, the state’s Regulation and Licensing Department superintendent, said in a recent alert.
Anyone who receives this kind of contact is asked to call 505-476-4622, option 4.
In the meantime, know that state inspectors:
■ Will never ask for a cash payment, money order or money card.
■ Will never demand immediate payment.
■ Will always have official identification.
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Latest data breach: Orbitz says a hack has potentially exposed information on about 880,000 credit and other payment cards used for purchases between Jan. 1, 2016 and Dec. 22, 2017.
The company said the data likely exposed included name, payment card information, date of birth, phone number, email address, physical and/or billing address and gender.
Orbitz is offering those impacted a year of free credit monitoring and identity protection service in countries where available.
The current Orbitz.com website was not involved in the incident. It’s now owned by Expedia Inc. of Belleview, Washington.
Ellen Marks is assistant business editor at the Albuquerque Journal. Contact her at emarks@ abqjournal.com or 505-823-3842 if you are aware of what sounds like a scam. To report a scam to law enforcement, contact the New Mexico Consumer Protection Division toll-free at 1-844-255-9210.