PLAINFIELD, Ind. — Duke Energy is seeing an increase in reports from customers statewide about a utility bill payment scam and is urging customers to be alert.
Locally, several businesses in Columbus have received phone calls from scammers, and a few have fallen victim.
In the scam, a customer receives an unsolicited phone call from an individual who falsely claims to be a Duke Energy representative.
The caller falsely warns that Duke Energy will disconnect the customer’s electric service if the customer fails to make an immediate payment – usually within one hour.
The caller then instructs the customer to purchase a prepaid debit card – widely available at retail stores – then tells the customer to call back to supposedly make a payment to Duke Energy.
The caller asks the customer for the prepaid debit card’s receipt number and PIN number, giving the caller instant access to the card’s funds and the ability to immediately drain its balance.
Duke Energy urges customers who suspect or experience fraud to hang up and call local police, then call Duke Energy at 1-800-521-2232. Customers should not use the telephone number provided by the scammer.