Avoid
Utility Scams
Recently
there has been an increase in the number of phishing scams and scams involving
callers claiming to represent utility companies. Perennial Public Power
District will never send you an e-mail or call you with a request asking for
your account number, password or other personal information.
Phishing
scams find ways to redirect you to a page that looks like the login to a utility
or financial institution website. Once you are on the fraudulent website, if
you type in your login information, it will be sent to the “bad guys”, even
though it looks like a site you trust. Always look at the Uniform Resource
Locator (URL), which is the web pages full address. A fraudulent web site
usually includes other sub-domain names listed in front of the original domain
name.
How to avoid falling for scams?
·
Be wary of giving your personal
information over the phone.
Never provide your Social Security Number, credit card number or banking
information to anyone requesting it over the phone or at your home unless you
initiated the contact and feel confident with whom you are speaking.
·
Do your research. If you receive a call claiming to
be your utility company and feel pressured for immediate payment or personal
information, hang up the phone and call the customer service number on your
bill.
·
Beware of the door-to-door sales
approach. Never
allow anyone into your home to check electrical wiring, natural gas pipes or
appliances unless you scheduled an appointment or reported a problem to your
utility. Always ask utility employees for proper identification.
·
Be proactive. If you already have provided
information to someone claiming to offer this service, contact your bank
immediately. Also contact the three national credit bureaus – Equifax,
Experian, and TransUnion – and request a notation made on your account so that
it doesn’t impact your credit rating.
·
Inform others. Share this information with friends
and family so they do not become victims. The elderly are common victims of
these types of scams, but anyone who pays a utility bill is a potential victim.
Contact local law enforcement about any suspicious phone calls or emails.
