Scams - Utility
Utility Scams
In previous articles, we have discussed mail, computer, tv and radio, phone and medicare & social security scams. Utility scams can happen either in person or through a phone call. Utility scams are becoming increasingly common, with scammers pretending to be representatives from your gas, water, cable, or electric company in order to trick you into paying them money or giving them your personal information. They might claim that your service will be cut off if you don't pay them immediately, or say that you've overpaid and ask for bank account or credit card information for a supposed "refund." Some scammers will even go as far as to show up at your house pretending to be utility workers, in order to charge you for phony services, sell you unnecessary products, or steal from you.
What they do or say:
Someone calls or comes to your house claiming to be from your gas, water, cable, or electric company. They say your service will be cut off if you don't pay them immediately. This is a scam. Real utility companies don't call you to do this.
Rather than claiming you owe money, scam callers might say you’ve overpaid and ask for bank account or credit card information to make a “refund.”
Scammers pretending to be utility workers show up at your home to inspect or repair equipment, investigate a supposed gas leak or do a free “audit” for energy efficiency. They may try to charge you for the phony service, sell you unnecessary products, collect personal information for use in identity theft, or simply gain entry to your home to steal valuables.
What to do:
Do call the utility, at the customer service number listed on your bill, to find out if you’re behind on a payment or if they have tried to contact you. Do not use a call-back number provided by an unknown caller.
Do know how utilities operate. They do not request personal information over the phone, and they do not cut off service without considerable advance warning.
Do ask questions of anyone calling you or coming to your door on supposed utility business — for example, their employee identification number, or the date and amount of your most recent payment.
Do notify the utility if you’ve been approached by an impostor.
Do notify neighbors if there’s a suspected scammer making the rounds in the area.
Conclusion
Utility scams refer to fraudulent schemes where scammers impersonate utility company representatives to trick customers into paying for fake bills or services. These scammers may threaten to shut off the customer's service unless they pay the bill immediately, often asking for payment through prepaid debit or gift cards. Actual utility companies do not request personal information over the phone or cut off service without ample warning. They may also ask for personal information, such as Social Security or bank account numbers. It is important to know that legitimate utility companies will not demand immediate payment or ask for personal information over the phone. Customers should always hang up and contact their utility company directly using the phone number listed on their bill or the company's website to verify the authenticity of any payment requests. Remember, it's always better to be safe than sorry, so if something seems suspicious, trust your instincts and take action. Email and in-person scams are tactics scammers use to trick people into giving them money or personal information. These scams can take many forms, from fake online shopping sites to investment schemes, but they all have one thing in common: the scammer's goal is to separate you from your money or personal information. Learn more about these scams in our last article on scams.