The Okanogan County Public Utility District (PUD) — and its customers — continue to be hit by computer scams.
The two latest efforts to ensnare PUD customers are both messages that pop up on people’s personal computers. One notifies people that they are the PUD’s “lucky visitor” and that they have an unclaimed prize, and tell the people to click “OK” to claim the prize.
The second scam states that people can obtain a $75 rebate from the PUD in exchange for filling out personal and income information.
Neither of these messages comes from the PUD and clicking on the link or providing personal information can compromise people’s computers or their financial records and identity information. The PUD advises that the utility would never send an automated pop-up message to customers’ personal computers.
Any individuals receiving these messages or other suspicious communications should call the PUD at (509) 422-3310 to report the scams and verify the status of their account. People can also report suspicious calls or emails to the state Attorney General’s Office at (800) 551-4636 or to the Federal Trade Commission.
