ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. – Some Duke Energy customers claim they are getting hit up for overdue bills by people pretending to work for the electric company.
Many of the complaints were made on the social media app NextDoor.
One man claims someone called and left a message threatening to turn off his power if he didn't pay the bill in full.
A spokesperson for Duke Energy told News 6 the company is aware of the problem, and they provided examples of some of the phone calls their customers are receiving from the scammers. They said some of them are completely duplicating the Duke Energy phone system, making some of the callers believe they are really calling the electric company.
"Yes, I got a message that I didn't pay my bill, so I wanted to call to find out how to keep my power on," one caller is heard saying in one of the phone calls.
Duke said their customer was told by the impostor that in order to avoid getting his power turned off, he had to send them more than $800 cash in the form of a MoneyGram. They said sending payments via MoneyGram is a red flag that you could be getting scammed.
Since the beginning of 2018, Duke counted 1,919 Florida customers who report they've received calls from suspected scammers pretending to be the electric company.
Here are some tips on how to avoid becoming a victim, according to Duke:
Red flags for scam activity
- The thief becomes angry and tells the customer his or her account is past due and service will be disconnected if a large payment isn't made -- usually in less than an hour.
- The thief instructs the customer to purchase a prepaid debit or credit card, widely available at retail stores, then call him or her back to provide the card information to supposedly make a payment to Duke Energy. Some scammers may request a money wire or money order.
- The scammer asks the customer for the prepaid card's receipt number and PIN, which grants instant access to the card's funds.
How to protect yourself
- Duke Energy never asks or requires a customer with a delinquent account to purchase a prepaid debit card to avoid disconnection.
- Customers have multiple payment options. They can make payments online, by phone, automatic bank draft, mail or in person.
- Customers with delinquent accounts receive an advance disconnection notification with the regular monthly billing -- never a single notification one hour before disconnection.
- Customers who suspect or experience fraud, or feel threatened during contact with one of these thieves, should contact local authorities and then the Duke Energy phone number listed on their bill.