Watch out for latest scam targeting utility customers
Thursday, July 12, 2012
A national scam is targeting particularly vulnerable people eager to believe an offer of energy bill payment assistance. The scammers persuade their victims by informing them of a special federal government assistance program – sometimes described as a bailout authorized by President Barack Obama’s administration – which is available to help pay their utility bills.
Victims are given bank account and routing numbers to use when paying their bills online, but only after they “register” with their Social Security numbers and other personal information.
Individuals in Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Indiana and New England have fallen victim to the scam. Utilities in Utah and California reported similar scams earlier this year. Recently, at least 10,000 people fell victim to the scam in New Jersey.
Scammers are targeting their victims through standard digital channels, such as emails, bogus tweets and even Facebook messages. In some cases, agents working on behalf of the scammers and wearing what appear to be utility uniforms are going door-to-door handing out fliers and encouraging people to pay their bills with the bogus account information.
Unfortunately, victims – who receive a fake payment confirmation from the scammers – are spreading the word among their family and friends before being notified from their utility company of the bogus account numbers.
As a reminder, people should never give their Social Security numbers to anyone. If approached in person by someone claiming to represent LG&E or KU, ask the individual to provide two forms of identification – one being the company-issued ID badge all our employees and business partners receive.
The company-issued ID badge contains the LG&E or KU logo. The customer should also ask for a second form of ID (i.e., a driver’s license) that contains the same name as the one that appears on the company-issued ID badge.
Customers who have fallen victim to the claims should contact their local law enforcement to report the incident as identity theft, in addition to their local Better Business Bureau office.
Victims are given bank account and routing numbers to use when paying their bills online, but only after they “register” with their Social Security numbers and other personal information.
Individuals in Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Indiana and New England have fallen victim to the scam. Utilities in Utah and California reported similar scams earlier this year. Recently, at least 10,000 people fell victim to the scam in New Jersey.
Scammers are targeting their victims through standard digital channels, such as emails, bogus tweets and even Facebook messages. In some cases, agents working on behalf of the scammers and wearing what appear to be utility uniforms are going door-to-door handing out fliers and encouraging people to pay their bills with the bogus account information.
Unfortunately, victims – who receive a fake payment confirmation from the scammers – are spreading the word among their family and friends before being notified from their utility company of the bogus account numbers.
As a reminder, people should never give their Social Security numbers to anyone. If approached in person by someone claiming to represent LG&E or KU, ask the individual to provide two forms of identification – one being the company-issued ID badge all our employees and business partners receive.
The company-issued ID badge contains the LG&E or KU logo. The customer should also ask for a second form of ID (i.e., a driver’s license) that contains the same name as the one that appears on the company-issued ID badge.
Customers who have fallen victim to the claims should contact their local law enforcement to report the incident as identity theft, in addition to their local Better Business Bureau office.
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