DENTON, TX (May 13, 2025) — The City of Denton has issued an urgent warning to residents about a utility payment scam involving fraudulent phone calls and in-person visits from individuals impersonating city employees. These scammers are falsely claiming to represent the City of Denton or Denton Municipal Electric (DME) and are pressuring residents to make immediate payments to avoid disconnection of their utility services.
According to a City announcement made on May 7, 2025, these scam attempts are targeting local utility customers, with reports indicating that scammers are demanding immediate payment over the phone or during in-person visits. The City is reminding the public that Denton utility representatives will never request immediate payment or threaten service termination in this manner.
What Residents Need to Know:
- Scam Tactics: Callers or individuals posing as City or DME employees may use high-pressure tactics, including threats of service disconnection.
- City Policy: The City of Denton does not demand immediate payment via phone or in-person visits. All legitimate billing communications are conducted through official channels.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Do not provide personal or financial information to unsolicited callers.
- Verify account details directly by contacting the City of Denton’s Customer Service:
- Phone: (940) 349-8700
- Online: www.cityofdenton.com/paymybill
Navigate to the “Online Bill Pay and Account Portal” under the “Account Management” section.
If You Believe You’ve Been Targeted or Scammed:
- Contact your bank immediately to report fraudulent activity and determine whether a stop payment or reversal is possible.
- File a police report with the Denton Police Department:
- Online reporting is available at https://bit.ly/3Rv1cvn
- For in-person scam attempts, call the Denton Police Department’s non-emergency line at (940) 349-8181.
Local Context and Community Response
This warning follows a national trend in utility payment scams, which have increased in recent years as scammers exploit financial insecurities and impersonate trusted service providers. Denton Municipal Electric, a city-owned electric utility serving over 50,000 customers in the region, is a common target for impersonation due to its wide customer base.
City officials are urging residents to stay vigilant and report suspicious encounters promptly to help curb these fraudulent activities. They also recommend sharing this information with neighbors, particularly older adults or individuals who may be more vulnerable to scam tactics.
Residents can stay updated on local alerts and public safety notices through the City of Denton’s official website and social media channels.
For more information about utility billing policies or to report scam activity, visit www.cityofdenton.com or contact the Customer Service Department directly.