PNM scam calls usually take place in New Mexico when huge electricity is used like in summer during which air conditioning is drastically needed. Scammers that pretend to be employees from PNM always seduce you to pay for fake electricity bills with a warning that your electricity will be disconnected if you refuse to do that.
However, it’s easy to identify PNM scammers as long as a few tips are learned. Read on to get them now.
How to Identify PNM Scammers?
First of all, PNM scammers usually contact you via scam calls. Therefore, if you have installed scam call blockers on your smartphone, it’ll be less likely for you to receive such calls because they can be directly refused or filtered based on their caller IDs.
To identify PNM scammers, the following may give you some clues.
- Scammers always claim they are with PNM via
- Recorded voicemail from official PNM but in low sound quality,
- Spoofed caller ID leading you to believe they’re official.
- PNM scammers always call you from a local phone number or one that is similar to yours [Keep in mind, PNM official calls you ONLY from their official line 1-888-DIAL-PNM (1-888-342-5766)].
- PNM scammers usually notify you about the bill status through the calling way ALONE (Keep in mind, if your PNM bill really goes past due, you’ll receive notifications from multiple channels like email, fax, etc.).
- PNM scammers always leave a fake PNM phone number for you to call back.
- PNM scammers always claim you are past due on your PNM bill.
- PNM scammers usually push you to pay within a short time to avoid disconnection like 1 hour.
- PNM scam callers usually ask $200 to $500 for residential customers and over $1000 for commercial ones.
- PNM scam callers usually make calls during weekends when PNM is closed and electricity is dramatically needed so it’s easier for their scams to make it.
- PNM scammers usually ask or demand you pay your past-due bill with a prepaid gift card (Keep in mind, PNM never demands you to pay like that).
- Some solar salespeople claim to work for PNM (that may be true) and ask to check your private PNM bill. That must be a scam. Just say “NO”.
Unfortunately, scammers are getting smarter and smarter and the above clues may be temporarily useful but won’t last forever. The optimal solution still goes to a scam call blocker on your phone because it’s capable of automatically blocking unwanted calls like scam calls, robocalls, etc.
Keep in mind, that PNM never requires you to:
- Pay for the bill within a limited short time
- Pay for the bill with a prepaid gift card
What to Do if You Receive PNM Scam Calls?
With the clues mentioned above, if you receive such scam calls claimed to be from PNM, just hang up and take the following actions to avoid further being scammed or further confirm your bill’s actual status.
Hang Up!
It’s an easy but must-do step after a suspicious PNM scam call arrives with the above clues used.
Confirm with PNM Official
To guarantee your PNM bill is 100% normal, you’re also suggested to confirm with a PNM official to precisely ensure the smooth status of your bill. To contact PNM, you can
- Call PNM by phone at 1-888-DIAL-PNM (1-888-342-5766).
- Live Chat with PNM.
- Text #BAL to 78766 to get the account balance.
- Mail or email with the address here.
Report the Scam
The significance of scam reporting lies in the fact that it’s beneficial for both you and other PNM customers. For you, you won’t receive that call with one worry eliminated. For other PNM customers, they won’t receive such PNM scam calls with scam risk lowered as well.
How to Report
- Report to PNM: Visit PNM Scam Calls Page to report
- Report to FBI: Visit FBI scam Page to report
- Report to FTC: Visit FTC Report Fraud Page to report
Other FAQs about PNM Scam Calls
Does PNM really call customers for past-due bills?
PNM is responsible for notifying customers about account balances and contact with customers from time to time via calls. However, PNM never requires customers to buy a gift card to pay the bill. In addition, PNM never contacts customers in only one way. Apart from a call, PNM also notifies customers in other ways like email, fax, etc. Up to now, PNM customers are increasingly encouraged to check account balances by themselves and pay in different ways that are fit for customers.
What channels can be used to pay for PNM?
Customers are allowed to pay for PNM in multiple ways.
- Make a payment online.
- Call PNM at 1-888-DIAL-PNM (1-888-342-5766) and pay for PNM with voice directions.
- Call KUBRA EZ-PAY at 1-844-PNM-PYMT (844-766-7968) to complete the payment.
- Pay via Western Union.