It’s no secret that consumers with a water, gas, or electricity connection have long been targets for utility scams, but criminals have changed their tactics since the Covid-19 pandemic. As consumers became more reliant on technology for work, school and commerce, scammers noted these shifts and adapted their tactics to this changing environment.
Imposter scams are the number one type of fraud reported to the Federal Trade Commission. While scam artists may come to your door posing as a utility worker who works for the “power company,” in today’s more connected world, attempts are more likely to come through an electronic device, via email, phone, or text.
Common Types of Scams
A scammer may claim you are overdue on your electric bill and threaten to disconnect your service if you don’t pay immediately. Whether this is done in-person, by phone, text or email, the scammers want to scare you into immediate payment, so you don’t have time to think clearly.
Some scammers may falsely claim you have been overcharged on your bill and say they want to give a refund. You will be prompted to click or press a button to initiate the refund process. If you proceed, you will be prompted to provide banking or other personal information. Instead of money going into your bank account, scammers can drain your account and use personal information such as a social security number for identity theft.
If you experience either of these types of scams over the phone, simply hang up. If you’re concerned about your bill, call us at 601-425-2535. If the scam is by email or text, delete it before taking any action, and do not open any links within the notification. If you’re unsure, you can always contact us directly or use the Smartshop app to check your account status. Remember, Dixie Electric will never demand immediate payment by phone, email, or in-person. Disconnection notices are sent to members in advance through automated phone calls or by email, but members are not prompted for immediate payment. Also, if you do overpay on your electric bill, Dixie Electric will automatically apply the credit to your next billing cycle. As a rule of thumb, when in doubt, contact us.
Defend Yourself Against Scams
Be wary of calls or texts from unknown numbers. Be suspicious of an unknown person claiming to be a utility worker who requests banking or other personal information.
Never let anyone into your home that you don’t know unless you have a scheduled appointment or reported a problem. Most Dixie Electric employees in the field wear uniforms that include our logo. You can identify Dixie Electric employees by the logo on their vehicle or by asking to see their company badge.
We want to help protect our members against utility scams, and you can help create the first line of defense. Please report any potential scams to us so we can spread the word to prevent others in the community from falling victim.