A
new scam is sweeping the nation by claiming that President Obama will pay your
utility bills through a new federal program. Customers have reported the scam,
and several energy companies across the country have issued warnings to their
customers about it.
How
the Scam Works:
Consumers
have been contacted in person and through fliers, social media and text
messages with claims that President Obama is providing credits or applying
payments to utility bills.
To receive the money, scammers claim they need the consumers' social security
and bank routing numbers. In return, customers are given a phony bank routing
number that will supposedly pay their utility bills. In reality, there is no
money, customers believe they have paid their bills when in fact they have not,
and they have now compromised their identity.
Tips
to Avoid Falling for this Scam:
- 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.
- 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 utility bill.
- Never allow
anyone into your home to check electrical wiring, natural gas pipes or
appliances unless you have scheduled an appointment or have reported a
utility problem. Also, ask utility employees for proper identification.
- ALWAYS THINK
SAFETY FIRST!!!
Do not give in to high pressure tactics over the phone for
information or in person to get into your home.
# # #
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