LOS ANGELES (February 08, 2023) – With utility scams on the rise across the country and scammers getting more creative and aggressive with their methods of attack, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) is urging its customers to stay vigilant so they can avoid being victimized. The more LADWP customers understand how scammers operate, the better they can protect themselves.
A common phone scam is one in which scammers impersonate LADWP employees and threaten to shut off the customer’s water and power services if they do not receive payment immediately over the phone or through other unofficial payment methods such as going to a liquor store or ATM to send payment to a designated account.
“It is unscrupulous what these scammers are doing, posing as LADWP employees who trick hardworking individuals into paying large sums of money because they’ve been told they are behind on their utility bills,” said George Rofail, LADWP Chief Customer Officer. “LADWP will never demand payment over the phone or threaten water and power shutoff. Please call the number listed on your utility bill before providing information or payment to someone claiming to be with LADWP.”
LADWP wants its customers to know that LADWP DOES NOT request customers make payments of any kind over the phone with a live LADWP representative, including credit card, debit card, or prepaid VISA or MASTERCARD, such as Green Dot cards. The only way to make a bill payment over the telephone is by accessing the automated payment system and following the pre-recorded prompts, but never with a live person.
LADWP also DOES NOT ask for gift cards or cash payments via ATMs, kiosks, or Bitcoin machines. If you are asked to do so, it’s a scam! Valid ways to pay are:
- Through mail at:
- Payment Mailing Address:
LADWP
P.O. Box 30808
Los Angeles, CA 90030-0808
- Payment Mailing Address:
- Online at ladwp.com
- The customer support line: 1-800-DIAL-DWP (1-800-342-5397)
- The automated payment line:1-877-697-2939
- LADWP Customer Service Centers located at:
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Metropolitan Area |
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| Boyle Heights CSC 919 S. Soto Street #10 Los Angeles, CA 90023 |
Central CSC 4619 S. Central Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90011 |
Crenshaw CSC 4030 Crenshaw Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90008 |
| JFB Lobby CSC 111 N. Hope Street Los Angeles, CA 90012 |
Hollywood CSC 6547-B Sunset Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90028 |
Lincoln Heights CSC 2417 Daly Street Los Angeles, CA 90031 |
| Slauson/Vermont CSC 5928 S. Vermont Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90044 |
Watts CSC 1647 E 103rd Street Los Angeles, CA 90002 |
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Harbor Area |
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| San Pedro CSC 535 W. 9th Street San Pedro, CA 90731 |
Wilmington CSC 931 N. Avalon Boulevard Wilmington, CA 90744 |
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Valley Area |
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| Van Nuys CSC 6550 Van Nuys Boulevard Van Nuys, CA 91401 |
Canoga Park CSC 7229 Winnetka Avenue Canoga Park, CA 91306 |
North Hills CSC 9154 Sepulveda Boulevard North Hills, CA 91343 |
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West Los Angeles Area |
| West Los Angeles CSC 1394 S. Sepulveda Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90025 |
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Owens Valley Area |
| Owens Valley / Bishop CSC 300 Mandich Street Bishop, CA 93514 Between Fowler and Main (US 395) (open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) |
Scammers have been known to provide alternate numbers for payment or to call from phone numbers that look very similar to official numbers. They succeed by scaring customers, using pressure tactics to rush them into making a fast decision. Customers who feel pressured and rushed should know that’s a huge red flag and it’s likely they’re speaking to a scammer. If you suspect something isn’t right on the other end of the line, hang up the phone and dial 1-800-DIAL-DWP to speak to a live person to report a potential scam.
For more information on utility scams and how to protect yourself, visit www.ladwp.com/ScamAlert.
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