Suspect a scam?
If in doubt, hang up the phone, close the door or delete the email and call our Customer Service line at 541-685-7000.
Report scam attempts to the Oregon Attorney General's office by calling the consumer hot line at 877-877-9392 or by emailing help@oregonconsumer.gov.
We routinely receive reports about various scam attempts targeting customers. Be suspicious of any emails and/or phone calls that claim to be urgent and require immediate action to prevent shut-off of any of your utility services. If your account is past due, we attempt to notify you prior to disconnection in the following ways:
- Monthly bill mailed or emailed to a customer advising the balance is "Due Upon Receipt."
- Final Notice mailed to customer's service address or alternate mailing address if provided to EWEB.
We may attempt to call or email you to prevent disconnection, but only after the Final Notice has been sent. We will not require payment by prepaid debit card or request payment be made at a non-EWEB authorized location.
Common scams
Threat to disconnect
The impostor aggressively says your account is past due and service will be disconnected if a large payment is not made.
Request for prepaid debit card info
The caller instructs you to purchase a prepaid debit card-widely available at retail stores.
Phony bank account
Scammers provide a phony account routing number for you to use to pay your utility bills, receive a credit, or obtain federal assistance.
Overpayment trick
Scammers call claiming you have overpaid your utility bill, and you need to provide personal bank account information or a credit card number to facilitate a refund.
Home improvement con
Scammers posing as utility workers appear unannounced at your front door offering a free energy audit, efficiency inspection, water quality or pressure testing, or some other service.
Smishing scam
Scammers attempt to trick mobile phone users into giving scammers personal information, which can be used for identity theft, via a text or SMS message.
Bogus bills
Scammers send suspicious emails that appear to be a bill sent by the utility potentially featuring our logo and color scheme.
Is it really EWEB?
Scammers often use valid-looking phone numbers, graphics, uniforms, and other forms of fraudulent identification.
When visiting your home or business, EWEB employees will always:
- Wear EWEB logo apparel
- Have appropriate utility photo ID
- Drive an EWEB-branded vehicle with government license plates
If someone claiming to be from EWEB comes to your door, ask to see a utility photo ID, and if you have any doubts, call us to verify the person's identification and/or work to be done.
Over the phone, scammers can "spoof" caller ID to make it look like the call is coming from EWEB.
If you receive a call demanding immediate payment to avoid disconnection, or any other suspicious demand, hang up and call our Customer Service number at 541-685-7000.
Communications from EWEB will only come from an EWEB.org email address.
Some examples include our Current Connections e-Newsletter coming from follow.us@eweb.org and continuous consumption notifications coming from eweb.answers@eweb.org.
3 steps to help protect yourself from scams
Scammers who pretend to be utility employees exploit the trust customers place in EWEB. Following these three basic steps can help you fight back against scammers' constantly changing tactics.
1 - Safeguard information
Don't give out personal information (Social Security number, date of birth) or financial information (bank account numbers, debit or credit card information) to unexpected callers or visitors to your home or business claiming to represent EWEB.
2 - Ask questions
Ask the person to provide you with details such as your account number, your last payment amount, date of payment, and their employee identification number.
3 - Call us
Call our main Customer Service number 541-685-7000 (the same number provided on your bill and on our website), to verify the person's identity and payment or billing information.
