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Scammers are now using utility bills to try to dupe customers.<\/p>\n
Scammers reportedly are making calls to customers posing as representatives from companies like ConEd, Duke Energy<\/a>, Georgia Power, Consumers Energy, or a bogus utility company called General Electric, among others. They\u2019ll threaten to shut off power or service if customers don\u2019t pay immediately. They\u2019ll offer<\/a> an \u201cenergy assistance\u201d or payment plan and ask for the customer\u2019s payment information.<\/p>\n Watch Out for These Scams<\/strong><\/p>\n New Email Scam Can Trick Google Users<\/span><\/p>\n Scam Letter Alarms Florida REALTORS\u00ae<\/span><\/p>\n Security Firm Issues Fraud Warning to Agents<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u201cScammers are constantly looking for new ways to defraud consumers, and we\u2019ve seen triple-digit growth in utility company scams in the past year,\u201d Jan Volzke, vice president of Reputation Data at Hiya, told Forbes.com. \u201cWhile many consumers now know to be wary of calls claiming to be from the IRS or offering a free cruise that seems too good to be true, the latest threat comes disguised in the form of the utility companies that we trust to provide our basic services, like gas and electricity.\u201d<\/p>\n Some warning signs to watch for: Representatives that demand customers pay by prepaid debit card or by a wire transfer (utility companies accept check or credit card and will generally direct customers to one of their payment locations). Also, don\u2019t let anyone inside your home claiming to be a utility company representative unless you have a scheduled appointment or have reported an issue. When in doubt, hang up the phone and call the customer service number for your utility company to make sure you are speaking with a legit representative.<\/p>\n Source: \u201cScam Alert: How to Avoid Utility Fraud,\u201d Forbes.com (March 19, 2017)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n [ad_2]\n
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