Southern California Edison Urges its Customers to Beware of Impostors Posing as Utility Service Workers

I recently received this press release from Lagrant Communications, a public relations firm representing Southern California Edison. Darius Pierce is the account executive I am working with, who arranged to have Dave Ford appear on my television show, Inside the Inland Valley. We thought it would be a great idea to post this information in its entirety:

ROSEMEAD, Calif., Sept. 3, 2008 — Southern California Edison (SCE) is reminding customers how important it is to ask for identification when a stranger comes to the door claiming to be a utility worker. No legitimate utility worker will object to being checked.

If a customer suspects someone may be an impostor, he or she should immediately end the conversation and report the incident to the local police or SCE – especially if the stranger asks for money or threatens to turn off service.

(Gabriell Saeed, reporter for Inside the Inland Valley interviews Dave Ford -- manager of Southern California Edison.)

SCE and law enforcement officials suggest the best safeguard against impostors is to have the worker wait outside until that person’s identity can be verified. If contacted by phone, SCE recommends customers get as much information about the caller as possible, including name, department and a business phone number.

Here are other ways customers can avoid becoming a victim of a scam:

· Never reveal your credit card, ATM, or telephone calling-card numbers (or PIN numbers) to anyone. An SCE employee will not ask for money, credit card information or to use your phone though some authorized agents in rural areas do accept payments in the field. If you have any concerns, call SCE’s toll free number at (800) 655-4555 to verify the collections activity.

· Be suspicious of anyone who arrives at your house without an appointment asking to check an appliance, wiring, or suggesting that there may be some other electrical problem inside your residence.

· If someone calls and requests you leave your residence at a specific time for a utility-related cause, call the police. This could be a burglary set up by the caller.

· Do not let anyone into your home (whether in uniform or not) unless you verify who he or she is by checking identification and asking the reason for the visit. All SCE employees who go to a home or business carry an SCE identification badge with their color photo. Most wear uniforms and drive marked company vehicles.

· If you are at all suspicious of a person representing themselves as an SCE (or any other utility) employee, contact the local police department immediately or contact SCE at (800) 655-4555.

· For more ways customers can stay safe, please see www.sce.com/safety and read the safety tips section.


About Southern California Edison

An Edison International (NYSE:EIX) company, Southern California Edison is the largest electric utility in California, serving a population of more than 13 million via 4.8 million customer accounts in a 50,000-square-mile service area within Central, Coastal and Southern California.

Photo Credit: logo from www.sce.com and image from the studio of Inside the Inland Valley

The Media Interview: Tips from a Local Television Producer

Soooo . . . you’ve just been invited to be interviewed on radio or television. You accepted the invitation and now what? You should prepare for your media opportunity as seriously as you would an important job interview.

Most media interview invitations are because a person is an expert, or at the very least, quite in tune with the subject matter to be discussed. Another key trait the media host looks for, in a good guest interview, is good public speaking ability. As producer and host of “Inside the Inland Valley,” I can tell you that a good, precise, informative, and entertaining interview also makes the host and the show look good.

If you are invited to appear as a guest on a radio or television talk show, these few tips should be of great help:

1. Be sure to request and receive the location, date, time, name of show and host name. Find out what color clothing would be most effective on their set (for TV appearances).
2. Be crystal clear on the subject matter and whether or not the host would like questions to be provided by you beforehand. Make sure questions are faxed, e-mailed, hand-delivered, etc. in plenty of time for the host to preview. Otherwise, have the host send you the questions he intends to ask you. This will ensure good, appropriate responses on your part. You really don’t want to walk into an “ambush.”
3. Find out and agree on how you are to address the host; first name (Bob or Susan), nickname (Bobby or Susie), or last name (Mr. Smithers or Ms. Hinson).
4. If there are any sensitive areas or questions you would rather not answer, let that be known as early on as possible.
5. If you are promoting products, services, such as your new book or your latest play, be sure to request that there be time enough to give pertinent information. Also, have the editor flash contact info at appropriate times.
6. Be yourself, smile, and take full advantage of this wonderful opportunity. This media interview not only promotes what you are known for, remember: it also makes your host look good in the process.

You follow these tips and your media interviews will be fun and mutually beneficial! Read about Larry King's recent media interview mistake, as discussed on The Media Interview.

Photo Credit: http://www.cache.daylife.com/