Beware Of This New Scam

There a new scam out there aiming to defraud local people and small business owners.

The News-Gazette received an email last week from a local small business owner, who had gotten a call from someone claiming to be from the electric company. The caller said that the power to the business was going to be cut off that day at 5 pm. The business owner was given a number to call to prevent the cut-off. When the number was called, the person on the other end answered “disconnection service,” and said the disconnect order was because of non-payment of the electric bill. That person then referred the business owner to another number, supposedly customer service, to make the payment.

The business owner became suspicious, and instead of calling, did an internet search of the number. It turned out to be flagged as a scammer.

Anyone receiving such a call should call their power provider at the number on their electric bill or the power company’s website to verify any such disconnect order. Never give a credit card number out to an operator on an unsolicited phone call.