PLAINFIELD, Ind., May 20, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy is
warning its customers in Indiana
to be on guard against phone calls from utility scammers who are
demanding that customers pay their electric bill immediately or
risk having their electric service disconnected within the
hour.
Local law enforcement officials say the number of scam calls
reported by citizens has increased in the past few days.
"These scammers are thieves who prey on unsuspecting customers
with the sole purpose of stealing their money," said Marvin Blade, Indiana vice president of community relations
for Duke Energy. "The scammers typically target elderly residents
or small family-owned businesses, including restaurants, repair
shops or other retail businesses."
The best way to defend yourself against these scammers is to
recognize how the scam works and understand that Duke Energy never
asks customers for prepaid debit cards.
Typically, the customer receives an unsolicited phone call from
an individual who falsely claims to be a Duke Energy representative
demanding immediate payment, usually in the form of a prepaid debit
card. 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 Energy phone number. Some of these criminals also use
caller-ID spoofing to replicate Duke Energy's customer service
number.
Red flags for scam activity
- The caller 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 the hour.
- The caller instructs the customer to purchase a pre-paid debit
or credit card – widely available at retail stores – then call him
or her 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.
- The customer has received no other notice from Duke Energy that
an account is overdue.
How to protect yourself
- Duke Energy never asks or requires a customer with a delinquent
account to purchase a prepaid debit card – or iTunes card -- to
avoid disconnection.
- Customers can make payments online, by phone, automatic bank
draft, mail or in person at any number of retail outlets.
- Customers with delinquent accounts receive advance
disconnection notification with the regular monthly billing – never
a single notification one hour before disconnection.
- Customers who suspect or experience fraud, or feel threatened
during contact with one of these thieves, should contact local law
enforcement authorities and then the Duke Energy Indiana phone
number listed on their bill (800.521.2232). Never dial the phone
number the scammers provide.
Customers can get more scam and fraud prevention information at
our "Report Fraud and Scams" web page.
Duke Energy Indiana
Duke Energy Indiana, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, provides about
6,600 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 840,000
customers in a 23,000-square-mile service area, making it
Indiana's largest electric
supplier.
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in
Charlotte, N.C., is one of the
largest energy holding companies in the U.S. It employs 30,000
people and has an electric generating capacity of 51,000 megawatts
through its regulated utilities, and 3,000 megawatts through its
nonregulated Duke Energy Renewables unit.
Duke Energy is transforming its customers' experience,
modernizing the energy grid, generating cleaner energy and
expanding natural gas infrastructure to create a smarter energy
future for the people and communities it serves. The Electric
Utilities and Infrastructure unit's regulated utilities serve
approximately 7.7 million retail electric customers in six states –
North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio
and Kentucky. The Gas Utilities
and Infrastructure unit distributes natural gas to more than 1.6
million customers in five states – North
Carolina, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The Duke Energy Renewables unit
operates wind and solar generation facilities across the U.S., as
well as energy storage and microgrid projects.
Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2019 "World's Most Admired
Companies" list, and Forbes' 2019 "America's Best Employers" list.
More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com.
The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact
sheets, photos, videos and other materials. Duke Energy's
illumination features stories about people, innovations,
community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on
Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and
Facebook.
Contact: Lew Middleton
Office: 317.838.1505 | 24-Hour: 800.559.3853
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SOURCE Duke Energy