Learn How to Stop Utility Fraud
November 17, 2021
How Utility Scammers Work
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With falling temperatures and winter on the way, it is important to be extra vigilant for scammers who prey on utility customers.
That’s why FirstEnergy and dozens of other utilities are banding together for Utility Scam Awareness Week, Nov. 15-19, with Nov. 17 featured as Utility Scam Awareness Day.
Utility Scam Awareness Week is organized by Utilities United Against Scams* (UUAS), a consortium of more than 130 utilities and organizations working together to educate the public about the ever-growing list of scams targeting utility customers.
“We take our customers’ safety and security very seriously,” said Michelle Henry, senior vice president, Customer Experience. “Scammers can be very convincing, and they often target those who are most vulnerable, like customers struggling to make ends meet due to the ongoing effects of the coronavirus pandemic.”
Although utility imposters are a threat year-round, they are especially active in winter and summer months, when people are concerned about not having heat or air conditioning. Scammers prey on fear of disconnection, and customers should be wary of any unusual requests related to their account, such as a demand for immediate payment to avoid shutoff.
FirstEnergy customers can shut the door on would-be fraudsters by keeping the following information in mind:
- Customers who are behind on their accounts receive written notices of a possible disconnection and how to prevent it. FirstEnergy representatives will never call or email to demand immediate payment to avoid a same-day shutoff.
- Company representatives do make courtesy calls to remind customers about an outstanding balance, but they never require a customer to purchase a pre-paid money card as a means of payment.
- FE employees will not request sensitive information such as Social Security numbers or bank account information.
Want to learn more? UUAS has prepared a downloadable Consumers Guide to Imposter Utility Scams*.
Also, there’s more information in this FirstEnergy video about utility scams and how to avoid them.
*By clicking the link in this article, you are entering a website maintained by an outside party, which is entirely responsible for the site’s content.