Common tactics | Scammers targeting utility services, learn how to stay vigilant
ROCHE SHOWS YOU WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR. SO UTILITIES LIKE ELECTRIC, GAS, WATER, WE ALL NEED THEM. AND SCAMMERS KNOW THAT. SO THEY PREY ON YOUR FEAR OF LOSING SERVICE OR YOUR DESIRE TO SAVE MONEY. THE STATE PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION SAYS THESE ARE THE COMMON THEMES FOR UTILITY SCAMS. ONE OFFICIAL SOUNDING CALLS SCAM ARTISTS CLAIM TO BE REPRESENTATIVES FROM YOUR UTILITY COMPANY. TWO DEMANDS FOR AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE. SCAMMERS PRESSURE YOU TO ACT QUICKLY WITH THREATS OF SERVICE, INTERRUPTIONS OR CLAIMS OF LARGE SAVINGS. THIRD, UNUSUAL PAYMENT REQUESTS SCAMMERS REQUEST PAYMENT USING PREPAID DEBIT CARDS, GIFT CARDS OR WIRE TRANSFERS, WHICH ARE GENERALLY UNTRACEABLE FOR ASKING FOR PERSONAL INFORMATION. SCAMMERS WILL OFFER YOU REFUNDS OR LARGE SAVINGS SO THEY CAN TRICK YOU INTO SHARING YOUR ACCOUNT NUMBERS AND OTHER PERSONAL INFORMATION, WHICH COULD THEN BE USED FOR FUTURE FRAUD, PL TELLS NEWS 8 THAT IT DOES TRACK THE SCAM REPORTS IT RECEIVES, AND SINCE 2024, SOUTH CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA WITH THE 717 AREA CODE, RANKS SECOND IN SCAM ATTEMPTS IN THE PL COVERAGE AREA, WITH MORE THAN 25% OF THE REPORTS. AND IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, PL SAYS CUSTOMERS REPORTED NEARLY 200 SCAM ATTEMPTS. AND THAT’S JUST THE REPORTED SCAMS. SO SCAMMERS ARE TRYING HARD TO GET TO YOU. DO
Identify utility scams during National Consumer Protection Week
During National Consumer Protection Week, the 8 On Your Side team is focusing on helping consumers identify utility scams, which exploit the fear of losing essential services or the desire to save money.State Public Utility Commission identifies several common themes in utility scamsFirstly, scammers often make official-sounding calls, pretending to be representatives from your utility company.Secondly, they demand an immediate response, pressuring individuals to act quickly with threats of service interruptions or promises of large savings.Thirdly, unusual payment requests are a red flag, as scammers often ask for payment via prepaid debit cards, gift cards, or wire transfers, which are typically untraceable.Lastly, scammers may ask for personal information, offering “refunds” or “large savings” to trick individuals into sharing account numbers and other personal details, which could be used for future fraud.PPL tracking scam reportsPPL said it tracks the scam reports it receives, and since 2024, south-central Pennsylvania, particularly the 717 area code, has ranked second in scam attempts within its coverage area, accounting for more than 25% of reports.In the first two months of this year alone, PPL said customers reported nearly 200 scam attempts.These figures only represent the scams that have been reported, indicating that scammers are actively trying to deceive consumers. It is crucial not to fall for these tactics.
During National Consumer Protection Week, the 8 On Your Side team is focusing on helping consumers identify utility scams, which exploit the fear of losing essential services or the desire to save money.
State Public Utility Commission identifies several common themes in utility scams
- Firstly, scammers often make official-sounding calls, pretending to be representatives from your utility company.
- Secondly, they demand an immediate response, pressuring individuals to act quickly with threats of service interruptions or promises of large savings.
- Thirdly, unusual payment requests are a red flag, as scammers often ask for payment via prepaid debit cards, gift cards, or wire transfers, which are typically untraceable.
- Lastly, scammers may ask for personal information, offering “refunds” or “large savings” to trick individuals into sharing account numbers and other personal details, which could be used for future fraud.
PPL tracking scam reports
PPL said it tracks the scam reports it receives, and since 2024, south-central Pennsylvania, particularly the 717 area code, has ranked second in scam attempts within its coverage area, accounting for more than 25% of reports.
In the first two months of this year alone, PPL said customers reported nearly 200 scam attempts.
These figures only represent the scams that have been reported, indicating that scammers are actively trying to deceive consumers. It is crucial not to fall for these tactics.