DP&L said it has received calls from customers who have been contacted by people claiming President Obama is paying utility bills as part of a bailout plan. Targets of the scam are asked to register for the program and to provide personal and financial information.
The program doesn’t exist. “The scammers are simply fishing for personal information as part of the identity theft fraud. Unfortunately, many victims received forwarded emails or text messages from friends and family,” said DP&L spokeswoman Lesley Sprigg.
“The scam uses email, Twitter, phone calls and even door-to-door visits. Sometimes, utility customers are asked to provide the number on the back of their Social Security cards. It is a way to get Social Security numbers, bank account or routing numbers to use in identity theft.”
Susan Bailey-Evans, director of the Department of Job and Family Services for both Champaign and Logan counties, said staff members in Logan County have reported incidents of the scam occurring. There have not yet been any cases reported to in Champaign County, she said.
The Better Business Bureau in Washington, D.C. has issued a nationwide alert about the scam on its website.
“Customers of utility business FirstEnergy Corp. have reported the scam, and several other energy companies issued warnings to their customers about it,” the alert said.
The BBB recommends customer’s contact their local utility company’s customer service department if someone tries to use this tactic.
DP&L offered these tips:
• Never give anyone personal information such as Social Security number (or numbers from the back of your Social Security card), bank account or credit card numbers unless you initiated the conversation and you are confident the transaction is legitimate.
• If you receive a call from someone claiming to be with your utility company asking for payment, hang up and call the utility’s customer service number.
• If you have already provided information to someone making this offer, contact your bank and the three national credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion immediately.
• If someone pressures you to provide personal or financial information, hang up immediately. Notify your local police department.
About the Author