If you’ve ever gotten a call, email, mailing or sales person at your door claiming to represent Idaho Power, here’s some important information to keep in mind:
We DO NOT:
- Demand immediate payment
- Require a payment for a defective meter
- Ask for same day payment via pre-paid cards such as the Green Dot MoneyPak
- Ask potential job seekers for personal information over the phone
- Offer work from home assignments
- Ask for direct deposit information prior to the first day of work
- Accept pre-paid cards, like Green Dot.
We DO:
- Make payment arrangements
- Offer payment options
- Send reminders and notices prior to disconnect
- Make a phone call in an attempt to contact customers prior to disconnect
- Take payments over the phone using a third party vendor
- Have convenient pay stations where customers can make payments
- Have personnel wearing Idaho Power identification come to your home for various reasons
We do conduct outreach and advertising periodically to increase awareness of our energy efficiency programs, and occasionally work with vendors to conduct telephone surveys on our behalf. Unfortunately, some individuals and companies are using Idaho Power’s name inappropriately and without our permission, potentially for fraudulent purposes.
If you ever question the authenticity of a communication or anyone representing Idaho Power, do not divulge personal information or offer to provide payment. Call us at 208-388-2323, or 1-800-488-6151 outside the Treasure Valley area, or contact us via email.
The Better Business Bureau recommends consumers receiving fraudulent calls use the scam tracker on its website to report scams, warn others and find more information about other scams.
If You’re A Victim Of A Scam
File a police report and call the Attorney General’s office at 208-334-2424, or toll-free at 1-800-432-3545.
Latest Scams
Duplicating our voice messaging system
Scammers have duplicated the message customers hear when they call our customer service center. Please ensure the only phone numbers you use when contacting Idaho Power are 208-388-2323 or 1-800-488-6151 (outside the Treasure Valley). Any other phone numbers are fraudulent.
Payments are demanded for broken meters.
Scammers claim customers’ meters have been damaged and their responsibility to immediately pay for repair or replacement of the equipment.
Fraudulent job postings for receptionist positions at Idaho Power’s parent company, IDACORP, Inc.
Scammers interact with applicants only online or by phone. Applicants are told they’ve been hired and then asked to provide banking and other personal information over the phone.
Customers are being asked to provide access to their attics by scammers going door-to-door.
Customers are being told the company is working in conjunction with Idaho Power and that 80 percent of the cost for insulation would be covered.
Known potential scams using Idaho Power’s name
Calls demanding payments for damaged meters
The phone scammer claiming to represent Idaho Power, informs customers their meters are damaged and need to be repaired or replaced — demanding payment via pre-paid cards such as the Green Dot MoneyPak, which Idaho Power does not accept. The voice recording at the 1-866 number provided, says “Thank you for calling Idaho Power…hold while we transfer you to the next representative.” This is not Idaho Power’s 800-number for Customer Service.
Our Response:We do not call and threaten our customers. Idaho Power follows a process of multiple written notices to customers when an account becomes delinquent, prior to any service disconnection.
Meters are the property of Idaho Power. We would not call customers demanding payment for damaged meters. In the event we were aware of an issue with our meter at your location, Idaho Power would dispatch a technician to make any necessary repairs or replace the meter. We would not require a payment for this equipment or service.
We advise customers not to make payments to these callers or disclose any personal or account information to someone claiming to be from Idaho Power. If you receive this type of call, or any suspicious call regarding your Idaho Power bill, hang up immediately and call us at 208-388-2323, or 1-800-488-6151 outside the Treasure Valley.
If you are the victim of a scam, file a police report and then contact the Attorney General’s office at 208-334-2424, or toll-free at 1-800-432-3545. Consider contacting the Better Business Bureau to let them know, as well.
Fraudulent job postings
Fraudulent job postings on Craigslist.com and the Idaho Department of Labor’s website for receptionist jobs at Idaho Power’s parent company, IDACORP, Inc. Scammers interact with applicants only online or by phone. Applicants are told they’ve been hired by the company and are asked to provide banking and other personal information over the phone.
Our Response: Check out our job openings and call our recruiting office at 208-388-2965, or 1-800-789-2950 (TTY) to confirm current job postings. If you are the victim of a scam, file a police report and then contact the Attorney General’s office at 208-334-2424, or toll-free at 1-800-432-3545.
Door-to-door sales
Customers are being asked to provide access to their attics by scammers going door-to-door. Customers are being told the company is working with Idaho Power and that 80 percent of the cost for insulation would be covered.
Our Response: We DO NOT market our programs door-to-door. If someone claims to represent Idaho Power and tries to sell you insulation or new doors/windows, do not let them inside – it’s a scam. Call us at 208-388-2323, or 1-800-488-6151, or report them to the police if you feel threatened.
Spanish-speaking customers targeted in ongoing payment scam
In most cases, a caller claims to represent the electric company and demands payment to avoid power disconnection.
The scam is nationwide and is targeting customers throughout the Idaho Power service area.
Our Response: Idaho Power does not call demanding payments or threatening immediate service disconnection. We follow a process of multiple written notices to customers when an account becomes delinquent, prior to any service disconnection.
Customers should not make payments to these callers. Do not disclose any personal or account information to anyone claiming to be from Idaho Power.
If you receive this type of call, or any suspicious communication regarding your bill, call 208-388-2323, or 1-800-488-6151 outside the Treasure Valley.
Phone scam using prepaid debit cards
The caller insists they’re with Idaho Power and the caller ID may even display “Idaho Power” or a “208” area code using “spoofing” technology. Customers are told to get a pre-paid debit card and provide the card’s serial number to avoid having their electricity shut off.
Our Response: Idaho Power does not call demanding payments or threatening immediate service disconnection. We follow a process of multiple written notices to customers when an account becomes delinquent, prior to any service disconnection.
Idaho Power encourages customers to not make payments to these callers or disclose any personal or account information to someone claiming to be from our company.
If you receive this type of call, or any suspicious call regarding your Idaho Power bill, hang up immediately and call us at 208-388-2323, or 1-800-488-6151 outside the Treasure Valley.
If you are the victim of a scam, file a police report and then contact the Attorney General’s office at 208-334-2424, or toll-free at 1-800-432-3545. Consider contacting the Better Business Bureau to let them know, as well.
Hispanic and Asian customers
The phone scammer claims to be an Idaho Power employee and threatens Hispanic and Asian customers(both residential customers and small-business owners) to disconnect electrical service unless a payment is made within 24 to 48 hours. The scammer demands customers provide personal information in order to steal their identity for the purpose of identity theft.
Our Response: Idaho Power encourages customers not to provide any information to the caller. If customers are concerned about the legitimacy of calls from Idaho Power, contact our Customer Service Center at 208-388-2323, or 1-800-488-6151 outside the Treasure Valley.