Today, November 15, the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) joins Utilities United Against Scams (UUAS) in recognizing Utility Scam Awareness Day.
“Many electric, natural gas, and water customers in Florida are being targeted by scammers posing as utility company representatives or even the PSC,” said Chairman Andrew Fay. “Given the recent phone scam impersonating the PSC, we want to educate customers on ways to protect themselves on Utility Scam Awareness Day.”
Below are some ways to protect yourself against utility-related scams:
- Never allow anyone into your home to check electrical wiring, natural gas pipes, or appliances unless you have scheduled an appointment or reported a problem.
- If you do schedule service with your utility, ask the employee or contractor that arrives to provide proper identification.
- Delete suspicious e-mails that require you to act immediately to verify or provide personal information, or are received from utilities/companies with whom you’re not a customer.
- Do not respond to suspicious e-mails. Responding often results in even more spam and scam attempts directed at you.
- Think safety first, always! Do not give in to high-pressure tactics for information over the phone or in person.
It is important that customers call their utilities directly if they are ever unsure about the authenticity of a caller, pressured for immediate payment or personal information, suspicious of a service worker’s identity, or if they suspect any fraudulent activity.
Customers affected by a scam can also contact the PSC’s Consumer Assistance line at 1-800-342-3552. If a customer fell victim to a scam and provided their credit or debit card information, they should contact their financial institutions to keep their accounts safe.
To learn more on how to identify a potential scam and keep your information safe, read the PSC’s Scam Alert brochure. Visit the UUAS website to learn more ways to protect yourself against scams.
About Utilities United Against Scams (UUAS)
UUAS is comprised of more than 150 electric, water, and natural gas utilities, and many Florida utilities are members. UUAS is dedicated to combating impostor utility scams by providing a forum for utilities and trade associations to share data and best practices, in addition to working together to implement initiatives to inform and protect customers.
For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
