ATLANTA, Nov. 19, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- We hold
ourselves accountable to the customers and communities we serve
first and foremost. That's why Southern Company Gas is joining more
than 130 U.S. and Canadian electric, water and natural gas
utilities to protect customers against potential scams.
The Utilities United Against Scams consortium has designated
Nov. 17-23 as Utility Scam Awareness
Week. The weeklong campaign is designed to expose the tactics
scammers use to steal money from customers and provide advice on
how they can protect themselves.
Although there are several scam tactics, one of the most common
involves unsolicited phone calls to customers by an individual who
falsely claims to be a company representative. The scammer warns
that the utility will disconnect the customer's natural gas service
if a payment is not made within a short timeframe.
Other common tactics Utilities United Against Scams warns
against:
- Door Knocking Imposter – Door-to-door imposters pose as utility
workers to gain entry or access into unsuspecting victims'
homes.
- Overpayment Tactic – Scammers call claiming you have overpaid
your utility bill and you need to provide personal bank account
information or a credit card number to facilitate a refund.
- Power Restoration Charge – Scammers call offering to restore
power more quickly for a fee in the aftermath of severe weather
that may have caused widespread power outages.
- Vacate Your Home – Scammers claim there is a need to replace
metering or other equipment and you must leave your home for 72
hours.
- Facebook Charity Scam – Social media posts are telling
customers that a charity will pay for their utility bills if the
customer first makes a partial payment by money transfer. This new
scam is still under investigation by authorities, and it is unclear
if the scammers are seeking money, personally identifiable
information, or both.
Customers who suspect or experience fraud or feel threatened
during contact with an individual posing as a company
representative, should contact local authorities, and then the
customer care center phone number listed on their local utility
bill.
Follow Southern Company Gas on social media @SouthernCoGas and
join in the conversation #StopScams.
About Southern Company Gas
Southern Company Gas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO),
America's premier energy company. Southern Company Gas serves
approximately 4.2 million natural gas utility customers through its
regulated distribution companies in four states and approximately
700,000 retail customers through its companies that market natural
gas. Other nonutility businesses include investments in interstate
pipelines, asset management for natural gas wholesale customers and
ownership and operation of natural gas storage facilities. For more
information, visit southerncompanygas.com.
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SOURCE Southern Company Gas