Ever receive a frantic call claiming your utility bill is overdue and your service will be cut off immediately? It's likely a scam! Here's how to avoid falling victim:
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The Scare Tactic
Scammers love urgency. They'll call you out of the blue, posing as representatives from your electric, gas, or water company. They'll claim your bill is past due and threaten to shut off your service unless you pay right away.
Red Flags
- Unexpected Contact: Real utility companies typically provide advance notice and work with you on payment plans, not pressure immediate payment.
- Suspicious Payment Methods: Scammers demand payment methods that are difficult to trace and recover from, like gift cards, money transfers, prepaid cards, or barcodes for in-store payments. Your real utility company will offer established payment options like online payment portals, credit card payments, or checks.
How to Fight Back
- Don't Engage: Hang up on the caller and never use the phone number they provide.
- Verify Directly: If you're concerned about your bill, contact your utility company directly using the phone number listed on your latest bill or their official website.
- Report the Scam: Inform your actual utility company about the scam attempt and report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
By following these tips, you can protect yourself from utility scams and keep your essential services running smoothly.