Electric bill con game hits Volusia County merchants

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – When Donna Loganzo took the phone from her employee, she says her coffee shop was packed and it was difficult to hear. The call came in at about 3:30 p.m. on a Saturday.

Loganzo says the man on the phone claimed that he was with the utility company, and he was sending a technician to her shop to either collect $625 or turn off the power.

Loganzo says she panicked and was scrambling to get the cash together, even though she knew she had paid her utility bill the week before.

“He said his name was James and that there was going to be a tech out here in 40 minutes to shut my power for nonpayment. (He didn't want any) credit card information, he wanted cash," she said.

Loganzo assumed that it was the local power company serving the New Smyrna Beach area, but “James” said he was with the Gulf Power utility company.

Looking back, she realized that didn’t make sense.

Gulf Power serves more than 400,000 customers in the Pensacola area, not Central Florida.

Company spokesman Jeff Rogers says he forwarded “this to our security and customer care teams,” according to Rogers.

“The scams (in Pensacola) have mostly targeted businesses and have been ebbing and flowing,” Rogers said.

The New Smyrna Beach Utility Commission issued a scam alert in September bills when similar calls were being reported by residential customers.

Florida Power and Light reported similar schemes as well.

In most cases, the con men will ask for payment by credit or debit card.

Law enforcement investigators remind anyone who gets similar calls to contact their utility company directly and confirm the debt. Chances are it’s just a scam to hack your accounts.

For more information, visit the New Smyrna Beach Utilities Commission.

 


About the Author:

News 6’s Emmy Award-winning Investigative Reporter Mike Holfeld has made Central Florida history with major investigations that have led to new policies, legislative proposals and even -- state and national laws. If you have an issue or story idea, call Mike's office at 407-521-1322.

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