Scams targeting electric and natural gas customers are on the rise, with imposters implementing new tactics during the COVID-19 pandemic to trick utility customers out of money and personal information.
In the US for instance, the total number of scam attempts reported by Duke Energy customers so far in 2020 – more than 15,000 – is already approaching 2019’s full-year total of 18,000.
“Unfortunately, the scammers appear to be preying on the uncertainty and financial hardship caused by the pandemic, and they are tracking trends and adjusting their tactics,” said Jared Lawrence, Duke Energy’s vice president of revenue services and metering. “As new scam techniques are employed, it is imperative that customers stay alert, informed and make a concerted effort to guard their personal information and wallets.”
Scam tactics vary.
There are phone scammers posing as utility providers who call and insist customers are delinquent on their bills. The scammer typically claims a service disconnection is pending, rigs caller ID to mimic your utility provider, and demands an immediate payment in the form of a prepaid debit card.
Scammers also added a new tactic, which promises to mail customers refund checks for overpayments on their accounts if they can confirm their personal data, including birthdays, etc.
Other scam tactics include:
- A call with pre-recorded voice, often referred to as a robocall, with a caller ID display showing the customer’s utility’s name.
- A mimicked Interactive Voice Response menu that customers typically hear when they call their utility.
- Threats to disconnect power or natural gas service to a customer’s home or business within an hour.
- Immediate payment demands by prepaid debit card.
- And, with many utilities suspending nonpay disconnections during the COVID-19 pandemic, scammers are now promising refund checks if the customer makes a payment and the pending disconnect was an error.
Customers who suspect they have been victims of fraud or who feel threatened during an interaction with one of these scammers should:
- Hang up the phone, especially if it’s a robocall requesting personal information or requesting an immediate payment by prepaid debit card or gift card to avoid disconnection within an hour.
- Call the utility provider by using the phone number provided on the bill or on the company’s official website, followed by a call to the police.
- Never purchase a prepaid debit card or gift card to make an immediate payment to avoid a service disconnection or shutoff. Legitimate utility companies do not specify how customers should make a payment, and they always offer a variety of ways to pay a bill, including accepting payments online, by phone, automatic bank draft, mail or in person.
Customers can learn more about recent scams and how to recognize the warning signs at Federal Trade Commission.
