Between Austin, San Antonio, Houston & Bryan/College Station
Utility Scam
City Residents Beware of Utility Scam
Several citizens and business owners have contacted the City of Smithville to report they have received calls stating their power will be cut-off unless a credit card payment is received. The most recent scam involved an individual posing as a Bluebonnet Electric Co-op representative going by the name of Taylor Jameson (phone # 888-583-5177) who threatened to have a local business owner’s electricity disconnected. This is a scam that was reported in the Austin American Statesmen on December 4, 2014 Bluebonnet Officials Warn Consumers of Scam.
Electricity is provided to City of Smithville residents and business owners through LCRA. Utility bills, past due balances, and electric disconnect notices are mailed to the City of Smithville utility customer’s mailing address. Red-tag notices are posted on the front door of any resident or business owner five (5) business days in advance of a scheduled disconnect. This gives the occupant an opportunity to resolve any past due account balance well in advance of having their electricity disconnected. You will never receive an unsolicited phone call from the City asking for credit card payment on a past due account. If you receive a suspicious phone call regarding your Utility account, please report the incident to the City of Smithville Utility Department (512) 237-3282 and contact the Texas Attorney General’s Office (Consumer Complaint Division) to file a complaint Texas AG Consumer Complaint Form.
Another scam going through the mail is a business called Homeserve saying you need water line insurance. Please disregard these letters they are not affiliated with the City of Smithville and you do not need this coverage. Attached is a copy of the letter.
