Scammers Striking Duke Energy Customers

TAMPA BAY, FL — Duke Energy customers in the Tampa Bay area are being warned of a new scam that’s making the rounds in a very big way. The company reports that scammers have struck residential and business customers throughout the region in hopes of parting victims and their money.

The scam in question involves unsolicited calls to customers. The person on the other end of the line claims to be a Duke representative and tells customers they have past-due payments that must be made to avoid a disconnection, according to Duke Energy Florida.

The scammers have gone rather high tech, Duke Energy warned in a media release. It seems they’ve managed to make a duplicate of the company’s voice response system. That means if customers call back a number provided by the scammer, the automated system will sound like an actual Duke Energy number, the company warned. Some scammers using the ruse have also used caller ID spoofing tools to make it seem like they’re calling from Duke Energy’s customer service number.

“These scammers are continuously changing up their game and becoming more sophisticated so we are increasing our efforts to combat this crime and help customers learn to spot scam activity,” said Alex Glenn, Duke Energy state president – Florida. “It is important we don’t let our guard down during a time of year when utility scams tend to pick up.”

The scammers have been very busy this summer, Duke Energy reported. The company has received calls about the utility payment scam from homeowners, restaurants, renters, bars and even the Dioceses of St. Petersburg. The Tarpon Springs Police Department fielded so many calls, it issued a warning to local residents, Duke Energy noted.

Some customers have even told local authorities and Duke that the scammers say they’ll accept payment by iTunes gift cards.

Duke Energy offers these tips to help customers identify scam calls:

• The caller becomes angry and threatens service disconnection within an hour if a large payment isn’t made
• The caller tells the customer to buy a pre-paid debit or credit card and then call the “Duke Energy” number back to make a payment
• The scammer requests the receipt number and PIN for a pre-paid card
• The customer has received no other notice from Duke Energy about an overdue status

Customers who suspect they have been contacted by a scammer are asked to contact local law enforcement and then call Duke Energy Florida on the phone number listed on their bill. That number is 1-800-700-8744.

“Never dial the phone number the scammers provide,” Duke Energy warned.

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