Many electric, water and natural gas customers throughout the country are targets of utility scams each day. In recognition of Utility Scam Awareness Day today, OUC is sharing the following tips that will help Central Floridians protect themselves from falling victim to utility scams.
Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- If you receive a phone call or email demanding that you pay a certain amount or your utility services will be cut off, hang up the phone or delete the email. This is a scam.
- If someone claiming to represent OUC comes to your home and makes a similar request, close the door and call police. This is a scam, too.
- Do not disclose personal information – including Social Security number, credit card number or bank account.
- Do not click on links in text messages or emails or reply to voicemails that warn you’re about to lose utility services.
- Ensure your virus protection software is up to date on your computer, and do not click on pop-ups claiming you must pay your utility bill immediately.
- Do not wire money to anyone claiming to represent OUC or another utility provider.
- Like most utility companies, OUC notifies customers in writing when an account is past due and follows up with a phone call before disconnecting services. Customers signed up for proactive alerts are also informed of their account status.
- OUC does not demand immediate payment and never sends employees to customers’ homes to collect payment or warn them of disconnection.
- Visit OUC.com and login to your account or call 407-423-9018 to check your account status.
- Customers who suspect they’ve been the targets of utility scams should contact OUC at [email protected] or 407-423-9018 and notify their local law enforcement agency. Victims can also file a complaint with the Florida Attorney General’s Office at MyFloridaLegal.com or by calling 1-866-9NO-SCAM.
