Perris, CA (October 31, 2022) — Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) is urging its customers to be diligent after several customers have reported scam calls that have sought payments from individuals posing as EMWD employees.

In recent weeks, several customers have reported receiving calls from a number that is not affiliated with EMWD seeking payment for water and sewer bills. The caller threatens to disconnect service if a payment is not submitted, and then requests the payment be directly transferred via peer-to-peer mobile payment application that is connected directly to the customer’s bank account, such as Zelle, PayPal, or Venmo. EMWD never has and never would request bill payments in this manner.

Online payments may be made through EMWD’s MyAccount Customer Portal at www.myaccount.emwd.org. MyAccount can be set up to receive automated payments and to provide text and email notifications regarding payment status, including prior to disconnection of service for nonpayment. Customers may also set up payments through their own banking institution which requires enrollment in that institution’s bill payment system and basic EMWD account information.

Should EMWD customers have questions about the authenticity of calls received, they should hang up and then initiate a call with EMWD’s Customer Service Department, so they are confident they are speaking with an authorized representative. Customers may contact EMWD via phone at:

• Customer Service Department: 1-800-426-3693
• Account balance and bill payment: 951-383-6055
• Main Office: 951-928-3777

“Protecting our customers’ account and financial information is something EMWD places as the highest priority,” said EMWD Board President Phil Paule. “EMWD is actively working to investigate these calls and remains committed to offering our customers a safe and secure method to pay their account balances through our website and automated phone systems.”

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Eastern Municipal Water District is the water, wastewater service and recycled water provider to nearly one million people living and working within a 558-square mile service area in western Riverside County. It is California’s sixth-largest retail water agency, and its mission is “To deliver value to our diverse customers and the communities we serve by providing safe, reliable, economical and environmentally sustainable water, wastewater and recycled water services.” More information can be found at www.emwd.org.