866-978-6643

I received a phone call from this number stating that they were from Xcel Energy and that they had sent me notices about my bill which I never received. The woman's name was Sandy Johnson and she said very urgently that if I didn't pay immediately that my gas and electric service would be turned off. Having just moved into my apartment, I wasn't sure if my husband correctly set up the new bill with this company, so I was concerned this was real. They said that their systems were down and they couldn't process a payment through check or credit card that I would have to go to a nearby 7-11 and buy a GreenDog Money Pak in cash. The amount was set at $498.11 and I would get a refund for half of it in two days. Any time I asked a questions to speak to how strange this all sounded the woman raised her voice and repeated the questions "who will be in charge of this payment". Luckily I called up Xcel and was told that they were a scam and this was the second call they received today about this same issue. "Phew"

Unfortunately today I got the same call from the same # from a lady name Cindy Johnson posing as Souther California. She called my business and said the same thing, since I was driving on my way to work, she caught me at the wrong time. I had no second in my moment to even consider this was a scam. My top priority was to get this taken care of immediately as I could not have my business without electricity and out all my staff and clients through that as it's a hair salon. I am devastated I got taken, in that busy moment in my car on my way to work. This all happened within 10 min so there was no time for me to even rationally think. I'm sickened to think that there are low life people stealing from hard working small businesses. I want everyone to know that even though I normally would see these red flags, they still got me at the right moment where I had an urgency to make sure my business was not inconvenienced in any way...and they got me for $998.28! :(

Sorry typo, she called posing as Southern California Edison.