YPD warns community again about utility scam

The Yuma Police Department is warning the community about a Arizona Public Service (APS) utility bill-paying phone scam happening again in the Yuma area.

Sgt. Lori Franklin, said the current scam is different from the one that was reported last year, in that the call appears to be coming from a legitimate business.

Franklin explained residents have reported receiving calls from the number 800-240-1420, with the caller saying they were from APS and needed a payment or their service would be disconnected.

“They are hoping to scare someone into paying a fake electric bill,” Franklin said.

When she called the number, Franklin said she spoke to a representative from a company called CUSI (Continental Utility Solutions), which actually does billing for utility companies.

She said the company representative told her they have been receiving calls in relation to the scam for the past several weeks.

“It appears someone has copied their number and using it as a scam to get money,” Franklin said.

Franklin said if you receive a call from this number, or any number, and question the validity of it, hang up and call the number on your bill to confirm it. Also, APS never calls customers to collect. APS is aware of the scam and provided the following information to help keep customers from falling prey to it:

• APS never requires payment via a prepaid card.

• The only valid phone numbers to call the APS Customer Care Center are listed on customer bills and at aps.com.

• If there is ever a question about the validity of an email, website or person claiming to be an APS representative, call the APS Customer Care Center immediately at (602) 371-7171 to verify this information.

YPD wants to remind the community that if you suspect a scam, please call your local law enforcement agency and let them check into it.