City warns residents about fraudulent water bill calls

City warns residents about fraudulent water bill calls

The City of Kansas City, Mo., Water Services Department is warning residents about a phone scam involving solicitation from an unknown source.

In light of recent fraudulent activities involving the phone solicitation of Blue Springs, Mo., water customers, the department is reminding customers that:

- If the Water Services Department contacts you, the caller ID will never be blocked

- Customers can call 3-1-1 anytime to verify any solicitation regarding City of Kansas City, Mo., Water Services

- Waiving of fees or "special deals" are never offered

- City employees always wear ID badges and will give you the name and number of their supervisor when asked

- Customers should call 3-1-1 (or 9-1-1 if in an emergency situation) to report concerns

- Customers should never give, to anyone who initiates contact, a credit card number, bank account number, date of birth, social security
number or water account number

- Customers should not send cash, check or money order by messenger or overnight mail when asked to by a telephone seller or caller you
do not know

- Customers should never provide personal information over the phone, through the mail or over the Internet, unless you initiated the transaction and you know the person or institution receiving the information

Anyone who receives a phone call or e-mail as described above should consider it to be a fraudulent attempt to obtain personal account data for an illegal purpose. Residents should not follow any instructions in such a phone call or e-mail.

Media inquiries should be directed to Colleen Doctorian, public information officer, Water Services Department, (816) 513-0232.