Scammers target SF victims over water bills

Police and utility officials are warning San Francisco residents about a scam in which the caller poses as a public utility representative demanding payment for overdue bills.

The suspects call and claim that potential victims’ water bills are overdue and threaten to turn off the water service unless cash payments are made. Customers have been directed to make payments at various San Francisco drugstores, police said.

The suspects sometimes use a device that spoofs caller ID devices to display the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission customer service phone number, according to police.

The calls are not coming from the commission and at no time does the agency direct customers to pay water bills in person anywhere than at authorized payment locations, police said.

The public is advised to be wary of such calls and to contact the commission at (415) 551-3000 if there are questions regarding their water bills and service.

Any customers who have received such calls may file a suspicious occurrence report at any San Francisco police station. Anyone who has been victimized should file a fraud report with the police or visit a district police station.