New LA DWP Phone Scam (law, station, money)

[goodheathen]

This week someone with an accent called me from I think an 800 number, definitely not on caller ID as LA DWP but claiming to be, telling me as a "courtesy" that my service was going to be turned off in 5 minutes. I immediately thought it didn't sound legit and eventually asked the person to tell me my address. He failed.

Spoiler

It ended with me hanging up after I realized he was calling me names. The accent seemed Indian.

Do you think I even have enough info (story with suspected phone number and time of call) to report that to the authorities? And, since I'm not going to the station to make a report, that the police would even hear me out on the phone?

Yes, my service is still on.

[Exitus Acta Probat]

No, law enforcement won't take a report based on that, especially because it's most likely a spoofed number.

[goodheathen]

99.9% chance it's a spoofed.

I think false claiming to represent a public utility probably is illegal (as "impersonation," maybe), but I guess I should've played along to the point of being asked to pay something. It's sad that that scam obviously works on some people.

I might contact the local news about it. I see LADWP has a vague warning about scams on Twitter, but most of the public never visits that site. I think LADWP should include a literally colorful warning about scams in its mailers.

[BlinkingBlythe]

Originally Posted by Exitus Acta Probat

No, law enforcement won't take a report based on that, especially because it's most likely a spoofed number.

You said he had an accent, so I am guessing India, as the lions share of these kinds of calls comes from that country.

I doubt there is anything you can do except have fun with them if you are bored.

[goodheathen]

I guess India will only arrest the scammers on behalf of American authorities if they've actually stolen a lot of money.

[VLWH]

Yes scam, DWP won't call to warn you, they send cut off notices by mail. Same with the IRS. Just remember one rule and you'll never be a victim of a phone scam, never offer any personal information over the phone when someone calls you. Take their information and follow up to confirm if they're are legit.

I know most on here know, but obviously their are enough who fall for them or there wouldn't be such a huge problem.