Duke Energy revs up efforts to protect customers from utility scammers

PLAINFIELD -- Duke Energy is ramping up efforts to protect customers from the long-running scam targeting customers of utility service providers across the country.

The company has launched a new social media campaign with content focused on identifying tricks scammers use to get money from customers, and how customers can protect themselves. Duke encourages the public to share these messages to help guard against scam activity.

"Scammers are becoming more sophisticated, and we are increasing our efforts to combat this crime and help customers look for signs of scam activity," Jared Lawrence, vice president of Revenue Services, said. "If we can condition customers to immediately hang up when these criminals call, we've won the battle.

"It is important that we not let our guard down especially as we enter another busy holiday season -- a time when scam activity in general is more prevalent."

Under this scam, a customer receives an unsolicited phone call from an individual who falsely claims to be a Duke Energy representative. The scammer warns that Duke will disconnect the customer's electric service if the customer fails to make a payment -- usually within a short timeframe.

Scammers have even duplicated the Duke Energy upfront Interactive Voice Response system, so when customers call back phone numbers provided by the scammer, it sounds like a legitimate Duke phone number. Some scammers also use caller ID spoofing to replicate Duke Energy's customer service number.

Red flags for scam activity include:

-- The thief becomes angry and tells the customer his or her account is past due and service will be disconnected if a large payment isn't made -- usually within less than an hour.

-- The thief instructs the customer to purchase a pre-paid debit or credit card -- widely available at retail stores -- then call back to supposedly make a payment to Duke Energy.

-- The scammer asks the customer for the prepaid card's receipt number and PIN number, which grants instant access to the card's funds.

How to protect yourself:

-- Duke Energy never asks or requires a customer with a delinquent account to purchase a prepaid debit card to avoid disconnection.

-- Customers can make payments online, by phone, automatic bank draft, mail or in person.

-- Customers with delinquent accounts receive an advance disconnection notification with the regular monthly billing -- never a single notification one hour before disconnection.

-- If you suspect someone is trying to scam you, hang up and call the local police and then Duke Energy. Never dial the phone number the scammers provide.

Customers who suspect or experience fraud, or feel threatened during contact with one of these thieves, should contact local authorities, and then the Duke Energy phone number listed on their bill.

The company continues to enhance its efforts to educate the public. In the initial stages of the scam activity, it is estimated that at least 50 percent of customers contacted were tricked. About 80 percent of customers who received a call and reported it to Duke Energy say they did not fall for the scam.

Duke continues to work with law enforcement, other utilities and the media and has partnered with local attorneys general and Better Business Bureaus to denounce the scams.

Duke also continues to interview victims to detect anything that could break the case.

"We're exploring all of the angles, analyzing customer reports, gathering additional information from customers, and sharing our observations with peer companies," Lawrence said. "We appreciate the public's assistance in helping us spread the word about this scam through social media."

For more information visit www.duke-energy.com/StopScams.