By Josh Mitchell
Editor
River Mississippi News
“During the cold winter months, scammers warm up on pretending and threatening the public with utility shut offs,” says attorney general.
Just when you think the temperature couldn’t get any lower, something lower comes along—scammers.
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin is warning consumers to be cautious of utility fraud circulating in the Natural State this winter.
“During the cold winter months, scammers warm up on pretending and threatening the public with utility shut offs,” Grifin said in a statement. “My office receives many complaints from consumers who have been deceived by utility impersonation scams. Imposters threaten to shut off utility service if the consumer doesn’t immediately pay a past due amount. It is important to be cautious and informed, so that you aren’t a victim of one of these scams.”
The attorney general says customers should keep these points in mind to avoid being scammed:
Utility companies must provide adequate notice when bills are past due to give consumers time to pay their bills and to avoid shut offs.
Tips to avoid scams
• Utility companies will often allow consumers to enter into delayed payment agreements so that the consumer doesn’t have to payAtt the overdue bill all at once.
• Utility companies do not typically call consumers about shut offs. Instead, these companies will send a shut off notice via mail or email. If you receive a call from someone claiming to be a representative of your gas, electric, or water utility threatening to shut off your service, be alert and do not pay them.
• Your utility company will never ask you to pay with gift cards, bitcoin, or app transfers.
• If you receive such a call, hang up and call your utility provider at the number on your last account statement to verify or discuss the status your account.
• If you did pay, call your financial institution and/or the source of the payment to try to stop the payment.
• File a complaint with our office immediately.
• Exercise caution when answering calls from unknown numbers, especially when the caller is threatening you or demanding money.
utility fraud
