FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT
DATE: NOVEMBER 29, 2018
RE: PRESS RELEASE – UTILITY SCAMS FLOURISH AS HOLIDAY SEASON APPROACHES
‘Tis the season for scams, in part because the holidays are fast approaching, but also because cold weather has arrived in much of the U.S.
When the mercury drops, scammers come out of the woodwork to rip off consumers with a variety of utility scams.
The Ulster County District Attorney’s Division of Consumer Affairs warns that scammers often impersonate utility company employees, either on the phone or by showing up on your doorstep. They might tell consumers their service is about to be shut off unless they pay a surcharge, or they may try to sell a worthless device to lower heating bills. Consumers are encouraged to notify their utility company of such activity by calling the number on the monthly billing statement.
A common tactic scammers employ is to demand payment for a bill that is allegedly overdue. But the tip-off comes in the form of payment. If the caller demands a credit card or prepaid money card number over the phone, it’s a scam. If you get one of these calls simply hang up. Again, if you’re in doubt that it’s a scam call the company for verification.
Consumer Affairs can be reached at 340-3260.