Be alert for national utility scam by phone

Avista and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) serving Eastern Washington, North Idaho and Montana are warning customers to be alert to a scam that has impacted utility customers in several states across the country. According to reports, imposters are claiming that the federal government is providing credits or applying payments to utility bills. The imposters then attempt to obtain social security numbers and bank routing numbers.

Utilities impacted by the scam also report that scammers have visited customers in person, posted fliers and used social media and texting to send a false message.

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