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AMP Warns Customers of Telephone Scam

Don't give your credit card number to a caller who claims to represent Alameda Municipal Power and threatens you with disconnection if you don't pay immediately by credit card.

From an Alameda Municipal Power press release

Alameda Municipal Power (AMP) is warning customers of a telephone scam that has surfaced in Alameda Thursday.

AMP has received several inquiries from residential customers advising that someone impersonating a utility representative has called their homes. The caller claims the customer’s account is past due and will be disconnected shortly. He or she then requests a credit card number to avoid the disconnection.

If you get a call demanding immediate payment on your account, be suspicious. AMP will never ask for credit card or debit card numbers and only provides courtesy calls to accounts that are already delinquent. If you have any doubts, don’t give out any information. Please call AMP customer service representatives at 510-748-3900.

If you suspect you have become a victim of this scam, AMP recommends that you immediately call your credit card company to cancel your card and call the Alameda Police Department to file a report.

Here are some tips to help customers stay safe:

  • AMP employees always carry photo identification cards. If the ID is not visible and you don’t see any other AMP logo, ask the individual to show you their badge.
  • All AMP vehicles are marked with the AMP name and logo. If you are approached by someone claiming to be from AMP, check to see if their vehicle is clearly marked and/or ask for ID.
  • Verification is easy. If you have any doubts or concerns that a visitor or caller represents AMP, call AMP at 510-748-3900 to check on the individual and their task.
  • You can check the status of your account at any time by entering your account number and address through our automated system 24/7 at 510-748-3900.
  • Never provide unsolicited callers or visitors with credit card numbers or any other information that may compromise your financial security.

For more information, please visit www.alamedamp.com.

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Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Jeff Mark May 19, 2013 at 12:34 am
Or we could wait until just watching them isn't enough of a thrill...
Jeff Mark May 19, 2013 at 12:17 am
Fine, call the non-emergency number, but call. I strongly disagree with the above. I think callingRead More the couples "exhibitionists" is totally unfair. What they're doing is reasonably normal; what he's doing is, well... At the risk of making a possibly extreme comparison, this is how "Son of Sam" started; first he stalked couples making out in the back seats of their cars, then he started shooting them. Someone needs to talk to this guy. Someone with a badge.
Craig Long May 18, 2013 at 11:56 pm
Also, I don't think it is a matter for the authorities anyway. I'm not so sure who would be at faultRead More here, the exhibitionist, or the peeper.
Jeff Mark May 18, 2013 at 10:28 pm
I think this headline is unfairly worded. I think Webster St. is, for example, substantiallyRead More "cleaner" (whatever that means) than it was, say, fifteen or twenty years ago. We need to give credit for that. What Gavin would seem to be looking for might, I aver, be more appropriately called "gentrification", a trend that has its unfortunate side, but does bring in the Pasta Pomodoros and the Jamba Juices. Actually, I would expect to see stores like that more at soon-to-be-Alameda Landing, but perhaps that's another discussion.
http://youtu.be/RhRFhyneFcw
Vicster May 18, 2013 at 08:36 am
I'm so glad he hadn't wandered away! I bike home from the ferry along Santa Clara and I kept an eyeRead More out for him. Sounds like he had himself a nice time, the cheeky monkey!
Analisa Harangozo (Editor) May 17, 2013 at 05:51 pm
Yay! I'm glad! Thanks for the update Suzanne.
Suzanne Chenier May 17, 2013 at 05:48 pm
Found!!! He followed me into my downstairs neighbor's house. I went to borrow some eggs. My neighborRead More was at work. I didn't know he followed me in, didn't see or hear him, got the eggs and left. I called that brat for over three hours. He raided my neighbor's garbage can and a bachelor nap on his sofa! Yay. I'm glad he's home and safe. Thank you everyone.
Lion's Mane May 18, 2013 at 03:31 pm
Good point, Gevin! Forgot about the dog park!! Recently a woman with a big, off-leash Rott stoodRead More by and watched him take a huge dump at the water's edge, then she continued on her way without cleaning it up. The park police got here in time and paid her a visit, and she was none to happy about that...made my day. Unfortunately, a family with 2 little kiddos set up their blanket right in front of the Rottie's toilet spot shortly after she walked away, and I'm sure the kids were all over it. The no-dogs allowed ruling was probably inspired, at least in part, by irresponsible pet owners like her.
Gevin Says May 18, 2013 at 12:54 pm
Especially since there is a special DOG PARK just for your little Poopsie to play too!
Gevin Says May 18, 2013 at 01:08 pm
I would say it's the school's responsibility, but it all starts at home. How you are raised, howRead More you act, and how children around you watch how you act. If you do something wrong, and a child see's it, they may think it's okay to do it since they saw a grown up do it.
jason schabert May 17, 2013 at 12:01 am
sorry but the photo wasn't uploaded
Kimberlee MacVicar May 17, 2013 at 02:36 pm
Thanks for the info about your experience. I'm starting to hear the same story from about 7 peopleRead More now and I'm sure there are more. Store has been closed all week. Still no sign on the door. At a loss as to what to do to find out what's going on or what to do next.
bette page May 17, 2013 at 07:01 am
Good luck with that. I stopped patronizing them a year ago after some shifty practices with my highRead More end items: wouldn't give me a receipt and then my items sat untagged for three weeks. Completely missed the xmas shopping season.
photo originally posted by Dennis Domingo
Analisa Harangozo (Editor) May 15, 2013 at 07:15 pm
Carol, posted this on Facebook and got some responses so far:Read More https://www.facebook.com/AlamedaPatch/posts/666500700043838?comment_id=32723444&offset=0&total_comments=2
An accident occurred Monday, May 13 on Westline/8th Street turning into Crown Beach. Credit: Jessica McMahon
Carol Parker May 15, 2013 at 11:02 am
It is really dangerous coming out of the dog park/tennis court parking lot. We never try to turnRead More left coming out of it, always right - and even then you have to be super careful because cars just come speeding down the street.