Puget Sound Energy warns customers about email scam
December 15, 2011
NEW — 4:30 p.m. Dec. 15, 2011
Puget Sound Energy warned customers to beware a fraudulent email meant to mimic a bill-payment notification. The bogus email does not affect PSE customer accounts.
The email resembles the notice PSE sends to online-billing customers when a utility bill is ready to be viewed and paid. The message contains PSE’s logo and some legitimate links to the utility’s website.
The phony email has reached some PSE customers, plus people in other states. The email is part of a nationwide phishing scam.
King County warns residents about property tax email scam
December 15, 2011
NEW — 4:15 p.m. Dec. 15, 2011
King County officials warned residents about a possible email scam Thursday, after the county received calls from people about a bogus online property tax payment.
The callers reported receiving false confirmation of online property tax payments made through the King County e-commerce system. The county did not send the emails, and the county’s e-commerce system has not been compromised.
“It appears that someone copied our standard payment confirmation email and altered the header in the email so that it appears to be from King County,” county Chief Information Officer Bill Kehoe said in a statement. “These messages did not come from King County, and the recipients have not made any payments with us.”
Suspicious activity reported by Newcastle residents
December 13, 2011
NEW — 3:15 p.m. Dec. 13, 2011
Suspicious activity was reported in the area of SE 75th and SE 76th streets and 120 and 121 avenues SE on Dec. 12, according to a Newcastle Police Department news release.
Residents reported two males approached Newcastle homes saying they were CenturyLink employees or contractors making contact about pipe work being done in the area.
Officers were unable to locate the males.
The city attempted to confirm with CenturyLink if they had employees working in the area, but were unable to do so at this time.
There are no door-to-door sales permits issued by the city at this time.
Newcastle residents selected winners of holiday art contest
December 12, 2011
NEW — 5:10 p.m. Dec. 12, 2011
The first-place winner by Jane Bell
Two Newcastle residents have been selected as winners of the Newcastle Weed Warriors’ holiday art contest.
Jane Bell was selected for first place with her hand drawn fawn and bird with a message wishing peace this holiday season, and photographer Ken Vensel was chosen for second place for a snow scene photo of the summit.
The contest could be in the form of any original artwork, including paintings, drawings, photography or a Photoshop composition. The contest was open to all winter holidays, including the new year.
