Utility Scam Threat Rises During Holiday Season

With the holiday season approaching, there is a notable increase in scam activities, particularly targeting utility customers. NV Energy, AEP Ohio, and other utility companies are warning customers against scams involving fake calls demanding immediate payment to prevent service disconnection, often using spoofed caller IDs. Scammers frequently request payments via prepaid cards, gift cards, or cryptocurrencies, which legitimate utility companies will never do. Law enforcement agencies, including Ocean City Police and the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office, report scams where fraudsters impersonate officers to extract money from victims. Authorities advise hanging up on suspicious calls and verifying any claims directly with the utility or law enforcement agencies. Customers are encouraged to report scams to local authorities or the Federal Trade Commission to help curb these fraudulent activities.