RICHMOND, Va., Nov. 16,
2022 /PRNewswire/ -- This Utility Scam Awareness
Day, Dominion Energy is urging customers to watch out for utility
scammers by sharing the most common red flags.
"Even if the caller ID says Dominion Energy, our customers
should be on alert about demands for immediate payment and threats
of service disconnection," said Utibe Bassey, Dominion Energy's
vice president of Customer Experience. "That is not how we do
business. When any warning sign is present, hang up. Never share
personal information."
Know the warning signs of a utility scam:
- Dominion Energy does not call and threaten service
disconnection if a customer does not make a payment
immediately.
- Dominion Energy will never demand payment with a credit or
debit card by phone, or ask a customer to wire a transfer, send a
money order or buy a prepaid or gift card to pay a utility
bill.
- Not all scammers are aggressive and threatening. Some scammers
try to earn a customer's trust by being personable and
sympathetic.
- Utility scammers will often target small businesses, such as
restaurants, and threaten service disconnection during peak
business hours to instill fear and a sense of urgency.
- Customers should be suspicious of and not allow individuals
claiming to be Dominion Energy employees to enter their homes
without proper identification, an appointment or a reported
emergency. Additionally, employees do not ask for payment in
person.
What to do if customers receive a suspicious call:
- Hang up. Do not provide account, payment or any other
personal information.
- Fact check. Scammers do not typically know the
customer's account balance. Customers can verify their account
balance and payment due date online or on the Dominion Energy
app.
- Seek help. Dominion Energy can help customers facing
financial hardship. Connect with the company with any payment
concerns.
For more scam prevention tips,
visit dominionenergy.com/our-stories/scammers-and-personal-safety.
About Dominion Energy
About 7 million customers in 15 states energize their
homes and businesses with electricity or natural gas from Dominion
Energy (NYSE: D), headquartered in Richmond, Va. The
company is committed to safely providing reliable, affordable
and sustainable energy and to achieving Net Zero
emissions by 2050. Please
visit DominionEnergy.com to learn more.
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SOURCE Dominion Energy