Yesterday, I got a phone message saying my electric service is being disconnected because of nonpayment. I did not answer it and it went onto my voicemail. I listened to the voicemail, who said it was my power company and to call 1-800-680-5835. Before I called the scammers, I called my power company who informed me there was a scam going on pretending they were my power company and telling people their power would be disconnected.
I then called number the scammers gave in my voicemail. It answered exactly like my real power company, complete with phone options for payment. However, the number was not the one my real power company lists on their website. And the phone options were set up for live and automatic options. I got a live person. I asked to talk to someone who handled customer accounts. When the person answered with a foreign accent, I asked what department I have reached for verification. The person acted very irritated and said, “Why am I asking?” I said, “I want to verify if I got the correct department.” He almost shouted, “You know what department this is!” I told him, “I sure do, because I am monitoring your activities for the US Federal Trade Commission.” He hung up.
I then called my state attorney general and the US Federal Trade Commission and gave them the most current information while the live phone number was in effect.
I just called the original number for the phone call. 1-800-680-5835, is not in service.
It amazes me that there is no active campaign to inform people about these phone scams. There should be warning messages in every phone bill.
I only found out about them by watching a few YouTube videos.