Final Notice of Water Shut-Off? A scam or what?
By Michelle
@infatuatedbby (94909)
United States
July 23, 2016 8:08pm CST
I manage the bills and write checks such as: rent, water/waste, electric for my boyfriend. So, when I opened the water/waste bill - it says "Final Notice of Water Shut-Off and service will end if not paid by August 1st, in red text.
Being confused since I recalled writing the check earlier this month. I ran upstairs and looked at his checkbook, yes - the bill was paid. So, I thought maybe the check was lost in the mail. I verified his bank and it was paid!
I looked back at the bill and it's the correct address, the only difference is there is an additional # in the address (sort of like an apartment #) but no one has apartment # here and it's a house. Instead of a name on the bill it says "Occupant" and the account number isn't the same.
I am wondering if this is some sort of scam or is this supposed to be going to the HOA or what? I will be calling the number from the water bill I paid from and ask them.
Anyone get this kind of notice before?
10 people like this
13 responses
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
24 Jul 16
That does sound like a scam. I've not received anything like it, nor have I heard of anyone receiving something like it. I'd be really worried about your boyfriend's info somehow being stolen.
Call the water company and let us know what they have to say. I imagine if it is a scam they'll want to know so they can inform their customers.
3 people like this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
24 Jul 16
I don't think his information is stolen per se, it's a rental house. But I will definitely be calling the water company to ask them and informed we received this in the mail.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
24 Jul 16
@ScribbledAdNauseum Oh the account number is totally wrong. So it could be someone else's that is unpaid wanting this address to pay for that account perhaps. Theres no name addressed, just says Occupant.
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
24 Jul 16
@infatuatedbby I would be concerned that at the very least, whoever sent this somehow got his address. Did you say the account numbers were similar?
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43655)
• Denver, Colorado
24 Jul 16
No,but I've also never had to pay a utility bill in my life.
2 people like this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
24 Jul 16
No utility bills?! Is it included in your rent? 
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
24 Jul 16
@Genipher I believe he lives in an apartment! 
2 people like this
@Hatley (163772)
• Garden Grove, California
24 Jul 16
Its one of many hoaxes one that is going around is to email one and tell you someone has tried to get into your bank
account the email had a bunch of misspelled words it was a scam they wanted money
when they say occupant that's a scam, a hoax so delete it
2 people like this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
24 Jul 16
Thanks for the heads up about the "occupant" it's probably because they do not know who to address right? I will call the water company to let them know. This was an actual paper mailed home in the mail box.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
24 Jul 16
@akalinus Wow really, even bank accounts. I hope this isn't a scam and imagine how many people fall for it or don't check the account number clearly.
@velvet53 (24417)
• Palisade, Colorado
30 Jul 16
@infatuatedbby Thank goodness you got to the bottom of it.
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
31 Jul 16
@velvet53 I am not sure why they mailed it here though.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
30 Jul 16
Yeah, our bill was paid this is for HOA
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
24 Jul 16
Yes, thank you! I will definitely call to let them know. I cannot imagine if this is a scam, how many people they scammed ~ (which it sounds like it because it isn't the correct account number, has no name says "occupant" and the address has an additional apartment # when it's a house and the bill was paid earlier this month already)
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238349)
• Walnut Creek, California
24 Jul 16
@infatuatedbby All they need to send that scam is a list of addresses!
@Mike197602 (15504)
• United Kingdom
24 Jul 16
Illegal to cut off water here as far as I know.
I've got a few red water bills right now but I'll not be paying until the last minute.
Could be just a mistake as bills often get sent out for a second time before they verify payment.
If you've paid forget about it.
Check the bank details and see if the account numbers match then you'll know if it's legit.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
24 Jul 16
But shouldn't the red bills be sent if its over over due!
Yes, it's paid for.
The paper I got is a different account
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
24 Jul 16
@Mike197602 But I want to make sure it wasn't a misprint or something.
Hmph 
I will notice lol.
I will notice lol.1 person likes this
@Mike197602 (15504)
• United Kingdom
24 Jul 16
@infatuatedbby Fake then so ignore it, or report it.
I was going to give you a like with no comment/response to see if you noticed
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189932)
• Boise, Idaho
24 Jul 16
Never got one of these before. I'd let your local office know.
1 person likes this
@akalinus (44366)
• United States
24 Jul 16
If it says occupant, it is a scam. A legitimate company puts its name and address on the bill and addresses it to whoever owns the account. Call the water company during business hours and make sure there is not a notice. Don't use the number on this occupant bill you got. It will be a friend pretending to be the water company.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
24 Jul 16
Thank you! I was confused to why it said "occupant" and cannot address a name. I will not be using the number on the bill I just received today, but on the previous paid bill because the number on the bill could be fake. I have not matched the numbers yet but I will verify that on Monday.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
24 Jul 16
Yes! I will call the real water company's # tomorrow.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238349)
• Walnut Creek, California
24 Jul 16
@infatuatedbby Sounds like a plan. Have the letter from the scam artists right there.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
1 Aug 16
It was meant for HOA. Not sure why they mailed it here.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
24 Jul 16
Not yet, it's a weekend. I will call Monday.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
24 Jul 16
Yes, I will call next week when they're open. There is no name addressed says Occupant (which can be anyone). The address is correct, but there is an additional # (which no homes here have a #) And the account number is incorrect. Plus the bill was paid for!
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
24 Jul 16
Yes, will do! It does sound strange to get this!
1 person likes this
