BMU has been made aware of scammers calling customers threatening shut off unless they pay via phone immediately.
Recent calls have claimed to have work order numbers and very specific information.
BMU and the Bryan City Clerk’s Office will NEVER call for payment.
Here are some tips to keep you safe and be sure to check out our Avoiding Utility Scams page to learn more.
• Never pay over the phone in response to a call, especially when you’re threatened with a service disconnection if you don’t pay immediately. BMU will never demand payment over the phone. If you’re getting pressured, hang up and call us at 419-633-6020 — this will ensure you’re speaking to a real utility employee.
• Before shutting off your electricity, communications or water service, BMU will send you one or more disconnection notices in the mail, hang door tags, and give you several bill payment
options, typically online, automatic bank draft, mail or in person.
• Utilities don’t accept gift cards and they never require customers to buy prepaid debit cards, like Green Dot or MoneyPak, to pay their bill. Instructions to pay by prepaid debit or wire transfer is a red flag.
• Don’t trust caller ID, even if it shows the name of your utility company. Scammers know how to “spoof” caller ID to make it read whatever they want. It’s another sneaky part of the scam that fools a lot of people.
• Delete all suspicious emails that demand or require immediate action to verify personal information.