Hernando County Alerts Public to Fraudulent Water Bill Payment Scam
(Brooksville, FL) – The Hernando County Utilities Department (HCUD) is warning residents of a recent scam targeting local customers attempting to pay their water bills. A resident contacted customer service at HCUD after encountering a fraudulent phone call imitating the Hernando County Utilities Department. The suspicious phone call came from the phone number 888-473-4775 and was attempting to gather the resident’s sensitive personal information such as name, address, and social security number and advised them to make a payment. The customer wisely refrained from providing any information and reached out to the HCUD’s official customer service number for assistance.
This scam is alarming, and HCUD is taking immediate action to alert residents and protect them from potential identity theft or fraud. The proper authorities have been notified.
How to Properly Pay Your Hernando County Water Bill:
Residents should be aware that HCUD will never ask for sensitive personal information, such as full social security numbers, over the phone or online. To ensure you are paying your water bill securely and correctly, please follow these trusted methods:
· Online Payments – Visit the official HCUD website to make payments securely online through Invoice Cloud: https://www.hernandocounty.us/departments/departments-n-z/utilities/online-payments
o The website offers a convenient and safe way to pay using your credit card, debit card, or bank account details.
· Phone Payments – If you prefer to make a payment over the phone, please contact the HCUD official customer service number at 352-754-4037, press option 3 then option 2. This will bring you to a secured automated payment line provided by Invoice Cloud
· In-Person Payments – You can also pay your water bill in person at the HCUD main office, located at 15365 Cortez Blvd, Brooksville, FL.
How to Protect Yourself from Scams:
Always verify the website URL and/or the phone number provided. Make sure you are using official HCUD links and contact numbers.
If you encounter any suspicious websites or phone calls, do not provide personal information. Report the scam immediately to HCUD at 352-754-4037 or email hcudcs@hernandocounty.us.
If you suspect that you may have fallen victim to a scam, please contact your bank or financial institution immediately and report any suspicious activity.
To learn more about phone scams and how to protect yourself, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Advice page at https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/phone-scams.
Hernando County Government and the Hernando County Utilities Department remains committed to protecting residents and ensuring safe, secure payment methods.
