Paying bills online is very common, but unfortunately, even something as mundane as paying a utility bill can become a rollercoaster ride now that scammers frequently pose as utility companies.

The scam involves a bad actor calling the victim and pretending to be the representative of a utility company and claiming to have encountered a problem with address information or payment method.

Using this excuse, the scammer asks the victim for sensitive information that allows the scammer to open a fraudulent bank or credit account using the victim’s information. Additionally, the scammer will often ask the victim to buy gift cards or to wire money directly to them in order to pay a “late fee” or “overdue balance.”

Professional scammers are very good at pretending to be legitimate companies and encountering a mistake on a bill is not out of the ordinary, so it’s easy to fall prey to this scam. Keep these tips in mind to avoid getting swindled.

• If you suspect you received a phony utility company call, hang up and contact the company directly using publicly available phone numbers to verify they were trying to reach you.
• Utility companies may not change your service unless they provide advanced notice. If a company is going to disconnect service, they will typically let you know at least a few weeks in advance in writing by mail or email. If you receive any phone call claiming an imminent and immediate shut-off of a service, it is a scam. Hang up and contact the company directly using publicly available phone numbers.
• A utility company will never make you feel pressured. If you receive a call pressuring you to wire money or release sensitive personal information, then it is a scam call. Hang up and contact your utility company directly.
• Some scammers have gone as far as to mail customers fake checks claiming to provide a refund for an overpayment on the account. This is a common scam and individuals should be on the lookout for such fake letters. If you receive one, contact your utility company directly and verify that your account has not been compromised.
• A common tactic scammers use is asking victims to buy gift cards or wire money in order to pay an overdue balance. A utility company will never ask you to buy a gift card or wire money. Do not buy a gift card or wire money and immediately hang up on any caller asking you to do so.
• Finally, don’t let yourself be fooled because a scammer calls from a number matching your utility company. Scammers use spoofing technology to display phone numbers that are different from their real numbers. Always verify any call yourself by hanging up and calling the company directly.

If you find yourself at the end of a utility scam, immediately call your utility company and financial institution in case your account is compromised. You can also contact your local non-emergency police line or report it to the Federal Trade Commission. These reports help the FTC and other law enforcement stop any future scams.

District Attorney Summer Stephan is committed to increasing communication and accessibility between the DA’s Office and the public. We hope these consumer and public safety tips have been helpful.

Two bills sponsored by the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office that strengthen state laws in support of sexual assault victims and senior citizens have been signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom. [TWEET THIS]

Each sponsored bill was drafted with input from experts in the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office and each piece of legislation closes loopholes for vulnerable victims.

“These bills ensure crime victims and consumers are protected and are not inadvertently re-victimized when they report crime,” District Attorney Summer Stephan said. “I’m proud that our office is leading innovations in balanced criminal justice reform that ensures dignity and fairness for victims of sexual assault and the elderly. Thank you to Governor Newsom for signing these important bills into law. I was proud to fight alongside Assemblywoman Tasha Boerner Horvath for this landmark legislation that empowers victims of sexual assault to report and safeguards their dignity in the process, so they don’t have to suffer in silence. This law increases the ability to hold sexual predators accountable by removing another barrier to victims reporting.”

The bills sponsored by the District Attorney’s Office include:

Assembly Bill 1927 (Tasha Boerner Horvath, D-Encinitas) provides sexual assault victims and witnesses with amnesty to encourage participation in a sexual assault prosecution. Current law makes it a crime to possess or use a controlled substance and for a minor to purchase and consume alcohol, which can create situations where sexual assault victims and witnesses choose not to come forward out of fear of prosecution in a separate trial.

Assembly Bill 2471 (Brian Maienschein, D-San Diego) extends the time for a senior citizens 65 or older, to cancel certain contracts from three business days to five. A longer timeframe allows elderly people more time to carefully review the contract and consult with others before moving forward with the financial commitment. [TWEET THIS]

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan issued a warning today to businesses and scammers not to take advantage of consumers by price gouging during a state of an emergency – doing so can end in prosecution. As a result of the devastating Valley fire in the eastern part of San Diego County, Governor Gavin Newsom and the San Diego County Board of Supervisors declared a state of emergency in San Diego County on September 6. During a declared state of emergency, it is illegal for a business to increase its prices for essential goods or services by more than 10 percent, unless they can show their own costs have been increased. [TWEET THIS]

“Wildfires leave a devastating effect on many of our neighbors and we want to send a clear message that we will not tolerate any unlawful activity by a greedy businesses, contractors or scammers who would seek to financially exploit victims of wildfires,” District Attorney Summer Stephan said. “Price gouging and unlicensed contracting during a state of emergency is not only a crime, it also can further victimize someone who may have lost everything in a wildfire.”

Violations of the price gouging statute are subject to criminal prosecution that can result in one-year imprisonment in county jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000. Violations are also subject to civil enforcement actions including civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation, injunctive relief and mandatory restitution.

The law applies to several products and necessities including: food and drink (including food and drink for animals); emergency supplies such as water, flashlights, radios, batteries, candles, blankets, soaps, diapers, toiletries; and building materials, medical supplies such as prescription and nonprescription medications, bandages, gauze, isopropyl alcohol, and antibacterial products.

It is also a misdemeanor for a hotel or motel to increase regular rates by more than 10 percent during a declared emergency and for the 30 days following the state of emergency.

Anyone should be extremely cautious if approached by aggressive agents, adjusters or contractors after a disaster. Most businesses are honest and have good intentions, but there are always bad actors waiting to take advantage of disaster victims.

Working as an unlicensed contractor during a state of emergency is a felony. Keep these tips in mind when selecting a contractor:

• Ask for proof of licensing such as a pocket license and a second photo ID.
• Always verify that the license number matches the contractor you are dealing with.
• Beware of scare tactics, odd calls or unsolicited contacts.
• Make sure the contractor carries workers’ compensation and liability insurance.

In the aftermath of natural disasters, debris-clearing scams often surface. Do not provide payment upfront and be sure to ask where the debris is being taken. Scammers often ask for money up-front and then disappear. Sometimes they dump debris on a neighbor’s property or park, which may cause you to be responsible for the costs and penalties.

Investigators from the District Attorney’s Office are assisting inspectors with the County Department of Environmental Health in checking properties that have been impacted by the Valley Fire for environmental hazards prior to residents returning to their property. [TWEET THIS]

The District Attorney’s Office has historically played a role in incidents of wildfires, including the San Diego County wildfires of 2003, 2007 and 2014. During those events, investigators from the District Attorney’s Office, the California Department of Insurance, the Contractors State License Board, and the Department of Motor Vehicles fanned out over fire-ravaged areas to warn homeowners to beware of would-be criminals who prey on victims of natural disasters. They posted signs warning unlicensed contractors that operating in a declared state of emergency area is a felony. Our investigators expect to do so again, once the fire is contained.

You can report suspected price gouging to the District Attorney’s Consumer Protection Unit at (619) 531-3507, the California Attorney General’s Office or to:

California Department of Insurance

10021 Willow Creek Road, #100

San Diego, CA 92131

Helpline 1-800-927-HELP (4357)

Contractors State License Board

9246 Lightwave Avenue, Suite 130

San Diego, CA 92123

www.clsb.ca.gov

1-800-321-2752

An Ohio man who pepper sprayed 11 San Diego Police Officers during a protest that turned violent downtown on August 28, was officially charged today with two felony counts of unlawful use of tear gas against a peace officer and 11 felony counts of use of force against a peace officer. If convicted of all the charges, the defendant faces a sentence ranging from probation with zero days in jail up to 11 years in local jail. The sentence would be determined by a judge if convicted.

Denzel Draughn, 28, pleaded not guilty to all counts during his arraignment today in San Diego Superior Court. Following his arrest, a judge set Draughn’s bail at $750,000. Today, the judge presiding over the arraignment hearing set the defendant’s bail at $150,000. The judge also ordered the defendant to surrender all weapons and not be in possession of weapons should he participate in future protest events.

During the hearing, which occurred using remote technology, the Deputy District Attorney representing the People stated the following facts on the record for the judge to consider when setting bail:

The incident began shortly after 6 p.m. on Friday, August 28 involving several groups of protesters comprised of about 25 to 30 people in each group. One group near 9th and E Streets was being followed by a driver/protester who failed to stop at red lights. Police stopped the driver to cite her, angering the protesters. A team of San Diego police officers on bikes was called in to shield the officers. Protesters push on the bikes, chanting “Fists up, fight back!” Police order the crowd to back up, but the protestors ignored the order.

One officer warned the crowd to back up and displayed his pepper spray. One of the protesters struck the officer’s hand trying to knock the spray out of it and the officer discharged the pepper spray. That protestor then fought with police as they tried to arrest him.

During the chaotic struggle to get the protester into custody, one of the peace officer’s pepper spray canisters fell out of her holster and tumbled near Denzel Draughn. Draughn picked up the can and sprayed police in a long, several second burst that hit some officers in the face, who were not protected by helmets.

Using a megaphone, the defendant yelled, “Fuck the police,” and then sprayed the line of peace officers a second time with another long burst. In total, 11 officers were hit with the pepper spray, including one officer who was blinded for about 40 minutes. Other officers were burned and disabled by the spray.

In open court today, the Deputy District Attorney played a video showing Denzel Draughn deploying the pepper spray on officers from two different angles.

The defendant fled but was later located and arrested, at which time five knives (daggers) and one hunting knife were located in his vehicle.

It was also put on the record in court that the defendant has a recent criminal history that includes resisting arrest, fighting with police and failing to appear for a court hearing. At present, there is an active warrant for the defendant’s arrest from December 2019 for failure to appear in court in Zanesville, Ohio. The defendant was convicted in Ohio in November of 2019 for resisting arrest when he fought with police as they were trying to take him into custody for another previous arrest warrant.

He was also convicted last year of possession of drug paraphernalia as well as a conviction for the illegal conveyance of drugs in a government facility in 2017.

Today, the judge set future court dates for a readiness hearing on October 8 and a preliminary hearing on October 20.

Recently, the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office also filed criminal charges against 20 individuals for crimes including vandalism, looting and child endangerment in connection with the protests that turned violent and devolved into looting and rioting in La Mesa on Memorial Day weekend.

District Attorney Summer Stephan today released the following statement:

Peaceful protest is a time-honored tradition in our country, and now more than ever it’s critical that we protect an individual’s important First Amendment right. The majority of those protesting in our County are doing so peacefully. But when protests turn violent, it is an insult to the rightful expressions of peaceful protesters, and we must act to protect the community.

Protesting is an inalienable right recognized by the U.S. Constitution. Rioting, burning down businesses and assaulting peace officers are crimes that will be prosecuted.

As District Attorney, I will continue to fulfill my duty and responsibility to prosecute those who choose violence, looting or lawlessness to harm our community. I join community leaders in calling for unity and peace, not violence and chaos, while we work together to build racial equity and destroy hate.

The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office announced today that it is kicking off the third and final phase of an extended opioid awareness outreach campaign. The San Diego Opioid Project is designed to educate and change behavior and ultimately reduce opioid overdose deaths in the County. The launch comes just one week after law enforcement officials warned the public about an alarming spike in fentanyl-related overdose deaths the first six months of this year.

This latest phase of the San Diego Opioid Project focuses on laced substances and warns people who might take illegal opioids they obtain from a friend or a drug dealer that they may be laced with deadly substances such as fentanyl. [TWEET THIS]

You can watch the flagship video in English or in Spanish.

In 2019, there were 152 fentanyl-related overdose deaths in San Diego County. But in the first six months of this year, there are likely already 203 fentanyl-related deaths, of which 119 have been confirmed and another 84 are pending confirmation.

“This latest phase of the campaign couldn’t come at a more important time, given the disturbing uptick in overdoses we’re seeing,” said San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan. “We’ve seen a good response to the first phase of this outreach and our hope is that this latest push comes at a time when we’re not just educating the public but saving lives.”

The District Attorney’s office and San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency partnered on the campaign. The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to support the innovative outreach. The DA worked with the San Diego-based Rescue Agency, which has a national track record of success when it comes to changing behavior in various areas of public health.

The first phase of the San Diego Opioid Project addressed the misconception that people think they can abuse prescription opioids ‘safely.’ It educated people that opioids affect your brain exactly like heroin does. It also addresses the misconception that opioids help people heal from injuries.

The second phase of the campaign focused on how quickly people can overdose while others around them may not even notice.

The San Diego Opioid Project is rolling out primarily online, with social media and digital ads that are specifically targeted to people at risk of becoming addicted.

The ads and posts all drive people to a website: SanDiegoOpioidProject.org. Some ads are in Spanish and there’s a Spanish-language version of the website.

Prescription opioids are to blame for more than 2,200 accidental overdose deaths in San Diego County over the last 10-years. In 2018, 210 people died from accidental overdose caused by one or more prescription opioids, alone or combined with other drugs or alcohol. [TWEET THIS]