Scams are no joke!
Swindling is nothing new. It’s probably been around for as long as people have. But the way scams have evolved over the years is a true testament to their staying power. Unfortunately, our customers have to be extra vigilant when it comes to scams due to the ease with which criminals try to exploit the utility business.
Modern-day scammers can attack by phone, email or even in person, so it’s important to be aware of their tactics so you can protect yourself. Here are a few of the more common ways customers are targeted:
- Demanding payment by uncommon methods – If you are asked to pay your utility bill with a prepaid debit, gift card, money transfer, or some other unusual method, this should be a huge red flag. We will only request payment using a bank account or credit card, so if someone is telling you otherwise, refuse and give us a call.
- Threatening to shut off your power if you don’t pay immediately – There is a process involved with shutting off a customer’s power for nonpayment. You will have advanced notice that you are behind on your bill and opportunities to make a payment or set up a payment plan before the service is disconnected. Scammers like to create a sense of urgency and fear by giving an unreasonable amount of time to pay large sums of money to avoid termination.
- Unexpectedly requesting personal information – A phone call out of the blue asking you to verify personal information such as your account number, Social Security number, banking info, etc. is nearly always a scam. Santee Cooper will never reach out to someone and ask for this information. You should never provide this information unless you initiated the request to pay, and if you’d like to pay your bill, you can call us.
There are plenty of ways dishonest people can try to rip you off, but you have a sure-fire way to prevent it – If you’re not 100% sure you are dealing with a representative of Santee Cooper, call us at 800-804-7424! And make sure that you initiate the call. Scammers have evolved with technology and can mimic our phone number or email address, so stay vigilant!
If you’d like more information about scams, visit our fraud awareness page. If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, you can report it here.
