JUNEAU POLICE DEPARTMENT
6255 ALAWAY AVENUE JUNEAU, ALASKA 99801
Business (907) 586-0600
Fax (907) 463-4808
Integrity, Courage, Service, Respect
INFORMATION RELEASE
Date: 2015-03-03
From: Erann Kalwara, PIO
Case or Incident: #N/A
On March 3rd, 2015, the Juneau Police Department recieved six reports from citizens that the phone scam detailed below was back. Callers reported that they had recieved a call from a person claiming to be with the CBJ Water Department demanding immediate payment for an outstanding bill.
Citizen are reminded to remain vigilient, follow the advice listed below, and don't give out personal information or credit card information to unsolicited callers.
*****UPDATE*****
On July 29th 2014, the Juneau Police Department was advised by the City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) Finance Department that they had received two reports from local residents about attempted telephone scams.
The caller claimed to be a representative of the CBJ, informed the person their water bill was overdue, and demanded the resident immediately provide a credit card number to get their account caught up.
Fortunately both individuals that were contacted refused to provide their credit card information then notified the CBJ Finance Department.
According to Finance staff, the CBJ sends out notices by mail for these bills and does not make phone calls. The Revenue Collections division does not have the ability to take credit card payments directly and uses an accredited 3rd party for credit card payments. The Revenue Collections division advised that they will never ask for payment over the phone.
The Juneau Police Department would like to remind residents that utility services, banks, and other businesses with similar accounts do not operate by cash over the telephone, or make demands of immediate cash or credit card payment.
Representatives from these businesses should know their customer?s physical addresses where they receive the service, their customer?s account numbers, and the amount owed. A customer can always ask for the name of the representative and their call back number. If in doubt, ask the caller to verify this information, use a publicly published phone number to call the representative back or meet with a representative in person.
All factual allegations contained in this release are based upon preliminary investigation and are subject to change or clarification as the investigation continues. Any charges reported in this release are merely accusations and all persons named in this release are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.