PORT ANGELES — An unexpected call demanding payment to the Clallam County Public Utility District is likely a scam, the PUD said.
Five business owners have reported to the PUD receiving calls this week demanding immediate payment and threatening electrical power disconnection if payment isn’t made, said Michael Howe, PUD spokesman.
“We didn’t make those calls,” he said.
“While the PUD does disconnect power for nonpayment, it does have a process it follows,” he said.
A customer who has not paid will receive a past-due notice in the mail about 33 days after the bill date. This is a 10-day notice, Howe said.
If payment isn’t made within 10 days, the customer’s name goes into the PUD’s phone notification system.
Phone calls from the PUD occur Fridays, but if the automated call does not go through that day, the PUD then makes manual calls the next week.
If the PUD is still not able to reach someone, a door hanger is delivered.
This means a PUD customer would not receive a phone call unless the bill was about 45 days delinquent, Howe said.
Also, the PUD does not provide any information to a customer about an account unless the customer provides verification of being the account holder.
The PUD makes manual calls only during regular operating hours Mondays through Fridays.
“Disconnects for nonpayment also occur during normal working hours, providing one more opportunity for customers to make arrangements,” Howe said.
He urged customers to be cautious about providing personal information.
Those in doubt can call the PUD at 360-452-9771 to verify the legitimacy of the inquiry.
“If anyone is in doubt, if anything doesn’t feel right, call us,” Howe said.
“We want our customers to be safe.”
