Utility bill payment scam is making the rounds
A new scam is sweeping the nation by claiming that President Obama will pay your utility bills through a new federal stimulus program. Customers nationwide, including some in northwest Florida have reported the scam, and several energy companies across the country have issued warnings to their customers about it.
How the Scam Works:
Consumers have been contacted in person and through fliers, social media, phone calls and text messages with claims that President Obama is providing credits or applying payments to utility bills.
Scammers claim they need the consumers' social security and bank routing numbers in order for them to receive the money. In return, customers are given a phony bank routing number that will supposedly pay their utility bills. In reality, there is no money, customers believe they have paid their bills when in fact they have not, and they have now put themselves at risk of identity fraud.
A new scam is sweeping the nation by claiming that President Obama will pay your utility bills through a new federal stimulus program. Customers nationwide, including some in northwest Florida have reported the scam, and several energy companies across the country have issued warnings to their customers about it.
How the Scam Works:
Consumers have been contacted in person and through fliers, social media, phone calls and text messages with claims that President Obama is providing credits or applying payments to utility bills.
Scammers claim they need the consumers' social security and bank routing numbers in order for them to receive the money. In return, customers are given a phony bank routing number that will supposedly pay their utility bills. In reality, there is no money, customers believe they have paid their bills when in fact they have not, and they have now put themselves at risk of identity fraud.
_______________
It's funny, in a sad kind of way.