Fraud Alerts/PSAs
September 11, 2020: Scammers Threaten to Cut Utilities Unless Paid
With the coronavirus causing heightened economic anxiety, criminals are attempting to steal money from utility customers and businesses by threatening to cut their electricity.
In the Utility Shutoff Scam, thieves pose as utility service representatives, call customers and tell them that their bills are past due and their service will be turned off if they don’t immediately pay.
Con artists use this ploy to steal funds and personal and financial information.
TIPS:
- If you receive a call warning that your service will be cut, hang up and contact your utility company directly.
- Do not provide banking information over the phone or by email.
- Legitimate utilities will not demand payments in cash, gift cards, wire transfers or through a payment app.
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