FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 1, 2016
Contact: James Hallinan (505) 660-2216
Albuquerque, NM – Today, Attorney General Hector Balderas issued a statewide Scam Alert in response to a troubling new scam that has the perpetrators posing as PNM employees. The fake PNM employees are calling small and large businesses in the Albuquerque and Santa Fe areas demanding payments and threatening to cut off electricity to the business if they do not pay them immediately. Among the businesses that have been targeted are well-established hotels and restaurants, but all types of small and large businesses in New Mexico should be on guard and warn their employees about this scam.
“I’m encouraging all New Mexico business owners to talk to their employees about this new scam and to train them on how to respond in order to prevent unnecessary financial losses,” said Attorney General Hector Balderas. “If you receive an unsolicited call from someone claiming you owe money, do not give out payment or financial information without first verifying the individual’s claims and employment with the company. Call the Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer & Family Protection Division if you need assistance verifying a claim or if you think you have received a scam call.”
“I’m proud of our savvy business customers who recognized an old scam with some new tricks,” said Becky Teague, executive director, PNM External Affairs. “Thankfully, these customers were suspicious of the validity of the scammer’s demands and alerted PNM and the Office of the Attorney General. I urge our customers to contact PNM for their own protection and to alert the company of any potential illegal activity. If something doesn’t sound right, it may be a scam.”
How to submit a Consumer Complaint with the New Mexico Office of the Attorney
General:
a. To obtain an electronic copy of the Consumer Complaint, visit our
website: http://www.nmag.gov/uploads/files/ComplaintForms/ConsumerComplaintForm.pdf .
b. Call the Office of the Attorney General at 1-866-627-3249. Se habla español.
c. To obtain a Consumer Complaint in person or by mail, contact our office closest
to you:
Albuquerque Office of the Attorney General
111 Lomas Blvd. NW
Suite 120
Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505) 222-9100
Santa Fe Office of the Attorney General
408 Galisteo Street
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-827-6000
Las Cruces Office of the Attorney General
201 N. Church Street
Suite 315
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 526-2280
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