Page 10 - Florida Sentinel 11-16-18

Local
Organizations Issue Scam Awareness Tips
Several organizations have united to alert consumers about Scam Awareness. The Better Business Bureau serving West Florida, Duke Energy, Tampa Electric and TECO Peo- ples Gas are joining forces to help shut down utility scam- mers and protect consumers and businesses.
Gas and electric utility companies across North Amer- ica are also working together as part of a week-long cam- paign focused on identifying the tricks scammers use to steal money from customers
and how customers can protect themselves.
Scammers posing as utility representatives use a variety of email, in-person and phone tactics to target families and businesses.
The Better Business Bu- reau has seen a rise on utility scams reported to the BBB Scam Tracker in the last 3 years.
Ms. Karen Nalven, Pres- ident and CEO of the BBB said, “Scammers frequently threaten Florida residents and business owners with deactiva-
tion if they don’t pay up imme- diately. Many times, these cons involve promises of energy dis- counts with the end goal in taking your money, personal information and account de- tails.”
Duke Energy is the founder of the Utilities United Against Scams collaborative, (UUAS) and Tampa Electric and Peo- ples Gas are members. The group consists of 114 gas, elec- tric, and water utility compa- nies across the country and Canada.
Here are the common scam
tactics and ways customers can protect themselves:
Common scam tactics:
Power disconnection threats; Immediate pay- ment requests; and Calls that appear to be from your utility.
How to protect yourself:
Customers who suspect a scam can hang up and call their utility company at the number listed on their bills. They are also encouraged to contact police and report the incident to the BBB Scam Tracker at www.bbb.org/scamtracker to help warn others. Never dial the phone number the scam- mers provide.
Do not pay over the phone if immediate pay- ment is demanded to avoid disconnection. Cus- tomers with delinquent ac- counts receive an advance disconnection notification
from utilities – never a single notification an hour before dis- connection.
Utilities never ask or require a customer with a delinquent account to pur- chase a prepaid debit card to avoid disconnection.
Always ask for identifica- tion. Employees of Duke En- ergy, Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas will carry com- pany-issued identification.
Customers should not let anyone into their home unless they have verified their iden- tity, or have scheduled the visit through the utility in advance.
Customers should call po- lice immediately if they believe the person is an imposter.
Visit these websites for additional scam aware- ness resources: www. bbb.org/scamtips www.duke- energy.com/stopscams or http://tampaelectricblog.com/ dont-get-scammed/.
PAGE 10-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2018