NV Energy issues consumer alert for billing scams
NV Energy is alerting customers of a scam involving a person or persons who are calling both business and residential customers, falsely identifying themselves as utility company employees and making deceptive threats about their electric service, demanding immediate payment.
The scammers are telling customers to pay via Zelle or Venmo. The scammer's telephone number also may falsely represents itself as NV Energy, the company said in a news release. The utility advises that it does not call customers to demand immediate payment for any reason.
Customers who may be at risk of having their power disconnected because of nonpayment will receive a 10-day notice on their NV Energy bill and 48-hour notice via mail. NV Energy does not accept payments via Zelle or Venmo.
If customers receive a call asking for an immediate payment, they should refuse and call local law enforcement or NV Energy if they have additional questions. Customers may also call NV Energy's customer service department in northern Nevada at 775-834-4444.
NV Energy performs Home Energy Assessments and Smart Thermostat installations by appointment only, according to the news release. An NV Energy representative will never come to your home offering an unscheduled service. For other services, a technician may knock on your door to alert you of his/her presence before making repairs or installing equipment, but will not need to enter your home.
In addition, NV Energy requires field employees and contractors to wear identification badges at all times. Anyone claiming to be a NV Energy employee or contractor will be happy to present a badge and employee number when contacting customers in the field, according to the news release. Employees are never authorized to receive payment in the field.
The utility offers tips and reminders on how to protect customers from scams at nvenergy.com/scams.