The scam claims that President Barack Obama is providing credits or applying payments to utility bills. In some cases, scammers have asked for social security numbers in order to allow for credits or to apply payments to customers’ utility bills, presenting an identity-theft risk. According to reports, scammers have visited customers in person, posted fliers and used social media and texting to send messages claiming that President Obama will provide a credit or directly pay utility bills.

SoCalGas wants to assure customers that SoCalGas employees carry proper identification when called out to any job. The company also does not randomly call or text customers asking for social security or other information. Customers should verify the employee’s proper uniform and identification before letting anyone in the home or on their property. Customer safety is a top priority for SoCalGas and employees will always be happy to wait while the customer confirms their identity.

Here are some tips to help customers identify SoCalGas employees:

• Be vigilant and question anyone who presents themselves as a representative of the utility.

• SoCalGas workers who perform in-home appliance services, work on gas meters or work on gas pipelines wear uniforms. However, some other employees do not. Always ask for identification before allowing anyone inside the home or on the property.

• The majority of authorized SoCalGas employees will be in uniform with company logo and carry an official employee badge. Most field employees also drive a company vehicle.

• Most of the time a SoCalGas employee visits a home or business in response to a service request. If no one scheduled an appointment, call SoCalGas before allowing anyone inside the home or property

• Never leave the house unlocked and unattended. SoCalGas does not ask customers to leave their homes unattended.

• To verify the authenticity of anyone claiming to be a representative of SoCalGas, customers are encouraged to ask for proper identification or call the utility at 1-800-427-2200 (or 1-800-342-4545 in Spanish). SoCalGas customer service representatives are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The planned weekend search for missing Fox executive Gavin Smith has been canceled after police were unable to determine a specific location to investigate.

“After consultations between the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department and the Gavin Smith family, it has been decided that there will be NO search this weekend,” said Howard Bragman, the Smith’s media relations advisor, said in a statement to the Los Angeles Times. ”There is not a specific area of defined interest to make this effort productive at this time.”

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department  has been trying to locate a Gavin Smith since May 2. Smith, 57, a film executive at a Fox office in Calabasas was last seen in Oak Park between 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 1st.

On Thursday, May 10, departmental spokesperson Steve Whitmore clarified that additional detectives had been added to the case. He also said that all missing persons investigations are handled by the homicide bureau and that nothing had been changed in the classification of the case.

Smith reportedly left in a black 2000 Mercedes E500 (the model number on the back of the car was changed to E500 although the car is actually a 420E), that has padded storage racks on roof, tinted windows and a California license plate #6EKT044.

The Smith family will not disclose why Smith was staying with a family friend in Oak Park rather than at his residence in West Hills. The Smith family told ABC News that Smith’s belongings, including a cell phone charger and shaving equipment were left at the friend’s house. Attempts to track Smith’s cell phone and credit cards have proved unsuccessful.

Smith’s wife called police after Smith failed to pickup his youngest son from school.

Smith is described as being 6′ 06″, 210 lbs., and has grey hair with blonde highlights, green eyes, and a goatee. He was last seen wearing purple pants.

On the family website, Smith’s son post, “Hey Everybody this is Evan Smith, Gavin’s eldest son. Thank you so much for visiting the page and report any information or anything at all on this blog so we can all coordinate to help find my DAD!!! You all have been such a help.”

To view the site, go here.

By Andrea Braver-

Gumbo is one very tasty fellow, a bit spicy and definitely a bit thick.  Our South L.A. American Bulldog weighs a mere 80 pounds but definitely needs some additional weight to give him the proper proportions.  Gumbo is such a sweet dog, so gentle and good-natured.  But, he’s a strong one even at 4 years of age.  He is more-than-friendly with everyone and loves the attention he gets.  Who could resist smiling and stretching out a hand to be licked by this gentle giant?  Gumbo came into the shelter filthy, with the deep-seated marks from an embedded collar that his owner must have kept on him for far too long.  He is kenneled with another male dog and is very well-behaved in the small space that they share.  Never a squabble or a bark.  He does get excited when the ladies come around, wagging his tail and anxious to meet them.  He’s hilarious and absolutely yummy.

Please come visit the South L.A. shelter and try out Gumbo before someone else takes him home.  3612  11th Ave., L.A.  90018.  Just off the 10 Freeway. (213) 485-0117.  ID number A1306788.  If you have any questions, please email Andrea at IveGoneToTheDogs@gmail.com.