Electric Bill Scam
Utility Users Beware
The electric bill scam targets utility users with fear and threats. The most common practice is to pose as a utility company representative demanding payment for a past due invoices with the threat of immediate power shut-down.
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What You Should Know
This is a widespread scam, frequently targeting small businesses. In many cases, the customer is told to use a pre-paid debit card, such as a Green Dot/MoneyPak card, or a money transfer service like Money Gram or Western Union. In at least one case, the victim was directed to pay in person at a physical location.
How YouMail can help stop electric bill scams today
YouMail customers are protected from scammers, spammers and other unwanted callers. And it's 100% totally free. Our exceptional call blocking and caller ID capabilities effectively block calls and remove any and all numbers from robocaller lists; FOREVER.
Here are a couple of REAL voicemails
left with YouMail customers.
Due to a recent bill passed in Congress called the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, we can permanently reduce your electric bill up to 60% through the US renewable energy program. The US renewable energy program will stop the 14% rate increase on your electricity bill coming soon. Press one now if you are a home owner and are paying more than $150 per month for electricity. Press one now to stop the electricity bill increase coming soon. Again, press one now. If you are a home owner and pay more than $150 per month for electricity and would like to stop the rate increase press one.
Hello this is Summer Johnson. I'm leaving you this message regarding the supply charges on your electric account. Please give me a call back at 440-596-4043 and have a copy of your electric statement handy to review. Your reference number is 08956332.
What you should do
It's good to know the facts. If your account is past due, your utility company will send you a written notice of your account status, with instructions on how to avoid disconnection of service. While a representative may call a customer to remind them that a payment is due, the representative would explain how a payment can be made using various payment options. They won't demand your bank information or credit card number over the phone.
Our best advice
Let calls from numbers you don't recognize roll to voicemail. Voicemail is your greatest asset against fraud. YouMail identifies known scam callers. They will hear an "out of service" message and the scammers will take you off their list and move on. Need to get the specifics on the number? Check out YouMail's online phone directory to see if that number has negative reports or is from a known scammer.