If you encounter a scam or fraud related to your SCE bill, visit sce.com/scamalert , where you can fill out SCE’s online fraud form
Beware of Digital Wallet Scams when Paying Your Bill
By Felix Hernandez
Digital wallet apps are a convenient way to pay bills. However, the payment method has become a target for scammers who aim to steal customers’ money and personal information.
As part of National Consumer Protection Week from March 3-9, Southern California Edison reminds customers to be vigilant and avoid scams related to paying bills using digital wallets.
One example of a new scam involves property owners who are selling their homes being asked to pay an allegedly overdue electric bill. They’re asked to call a number provided by the scammer to pay the bill through a mobile digital wallet or prepaid card. Otherwise, they’re threatened with a power shutoff while trying to show the property to prospective buyers.
Earlier this year, SCE began accepting digital wallet payments for customer bills from Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal and Venmo . The company is embracing certain mobile payment apps because of their growing popularity among customers.
“To pay your bill, these apps can only be accessed through the secure SCE.com website ,” said Paige, an SCE Information Governance representative. “Over-the-phone transactions involving payments or card information are not allowed to be processed by SCE employees.”
Tips for Paying with Digital Wallets:
- SCE will never call you to request a digital wallet payment.
- Make payments only to online platforms you know and trust.
- Digital wallet payments are instant and usually can’t be canceled.
- Be sure your mobile device is protected by a password or biometric data in case your device is lost or stolen.
- If a bill payment request sounds odd or suspicious, take the time to verify its legitimacy.
According to the Federal Trade Commission , mobile payment users reported losing more than $30 million to fraud last year, up from $15 million in 2022.
If you encounter a scam or fraud related to your SCE bill, visit sce.com/scamalert , where you can fill out SCE’s online fraud form .
You can also report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or the Better Business Bureau at bbb.org/scamtracker .
