She said customers are told to buy a pre-paid debit card and, after purchase, to contact the scammer to make the payment. The scammers are using the customer’s account information and PIN numbers to drain the debit cards. In addition, the scammers are using disposable cell phones, which make it hard for police to find the scammer.
Thelen said some of these criminals are using new tactics, such as Caller ID spoofing, to replicate Duke’s customer service number, falsely claiming to be with a third party collection agency representing Duke Energy.
The scammers have become aggressive when questioned about the legitimacy of their calls, and some specifically target Spanish-speaking customers, restaurants and other small businesses.
Thelen said Duke Energy never calls to ask or to require customers with delinquent accounts to purchase a prepaid debit card to avoid electric service disconnection. She said Duke customers can make payments online, by phone, automatic bank draft, mail or in person.
She said Duke Energy customers who have delinquent accounts will never get a call saying if they don’t pay, their service will be disconnected in one hour.
Customers receiving these calls should hang up and call police and Duke Energy using the customer service number on their billing statement to report the call and check their account balance.
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