Another Scam

Here is another scam to add to the list,Dave.......... Utility Scam Spreads Nationwide Thousands of Americans have fallen victim to a scam that claims to be a program to help people pay for utility bills. The new scam programs come at a time when air conditioning units are on full blast in many places around the country. The scheme is a nationwide occurrence, hitting customers from the Midwest to the Mid- Atlantic. One of the main reasons the scam has spread so fast is because customers have posted about the “program” on line and passed the information on to friends who have then sought the aid. Most people do not realize that they have been scammed until it is too late. Contents. The scam involves customers being contacted either by automated phone call, mail, email or in a few rare occasions in person. Customers are asked to give social security numbers, credit card and checking account numbers in exchange for a new banking number when paying their utility companies. Victims essentially stop paying their utility companies and begin depositing money into a new account under the guise that they are paying less for utilities. The accounts receive the money and are then shut down or rejected, by that time it is often too late and most customers have lost their money. The Better Business Bureau is very concerned with the scam because it has spread across the nation and seems to be gaining in popularity with scam artists and cyber criminals. SOURCE Analyst Note: The major problem with a scam like this one is that when customers provide their personal information to cyber criminals, that information can be leaked across the internet to other hackers and scammers and can lead to identity theft. This type of scam is also particularly concerning because legitimate government programs do exist to help citizens in need. Private citizens need to be aware of who they are giving their personal information to. People should know who they are talking to on the phone and should never give out personal information over the phone or by email. Unsolicited calls and requests for information should be reported to police and utility companies.