Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Monday, September 15, 2014
(UNDATED) - Duke Energy is warning its customers about a recent phone scam that asks customers to pay their bills with prepaid credit or debit cards.
Customers have received unsolicited phone calls from people who falsely claim to be Duke Energy representatives. The phone scammers tell customers their electricity will be disconnected if they don't make payments within an hour.
The scammers instruct customers to purchase prepaid debit cards, widely available at retail stores, and ask for the receipt and PIN numbers from the cards, which grants instant access to the cards' funds.
In other recent phone scams, people falsely claim to be with a collection agency representing Duke, or have replicated Duke Energy's customer service number so it appears on caller ID.
They can also become aggressive when questioned about the legitimacy of their calls.
Duke Energy never asks or requires customers who have delinquent accounts to purchase a prepaid debit card to avoid electric service disconnection, according to the utility.
The company urges customers who suspect or experience fraud to hang up and call local police. Then call Duke Energy at 1-800-521-2232.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.