Duke Energy warns of “President paying your bills” scam | News

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- Duke Energy is alerting customers about a new identity theft scam claiming that their utility bills will be paid by President Obama through a federal program.

The company says that the scammers are contacting customers in person, through fliers, or through social media and text messages.

The customers are then asked for their birth day, social security number, and bank account information before being given a false bank account through which their utility bills can be paid through the program.

In reality, the company says, there is no money in the fake account, and the customer's bills are not being paid.

Duke Energy, along with the Better Business Bureau, is working to keep consumers educated, and are asking customers to follow a few simple steps in order to avoid getting involved in this or any other scam:

• Never provide your social security number, credit card number or banking information to anyone requesting it over the phone or at your home unless you initiated the contact and feel confident with whom you are speaking.
• If you receive a call claiming to be your utility company and feel pressured for immediate payment or personal information, hang up the phone and call the customer service number on your utility bill.
• Never allow anyone into your home to check electrical wiring, natural gas pipes or appliances unless you have scheduled an appointment or have reported a utility problem. Also, ask utility employees for proper identification.
• Always think safety first. Do not give in to high pressure tactics over the phone for information or in person to get into your home.