TULSA, Okla. — It’s National Scam Awareness Week and the Public Service Company of Oklahoma wants to remind customers how to protect themselves against imposters trying to steal their money by claiming to represent PSO.
National Scam Awareness Week is an advocacy campaign organized by Utilities United Against Scams, a consortium of 140 electric, water, and natural gas utilities and trade associations whose aim is to educate customers and raise awareness of common utility imposter scams.
“Criminals’ tactics and the technologies they use to carry out their scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated,” said Whitney Emerick, PSO communications director. “Thieves typically attempt to steal customers’ money over the phone, but scammers may also use email or go door-to-door to find their victims.”
Four common signs of an imposter trying to scam customers out of their money are:
· Calling to demand an immediate bill payment over the phone
· Demanding that you pay with a pre-paid debit card
· Asking for personal or account information
· Asking to meet you somewhere in person to make a bill payment
The most important thing a customer can to do protect themselves against scammers is to be suspicious of anyone calling and threatening to cut off their electricity unless a payment is made immediately. If that happens, customers are advised to hang up and call PSO to verify
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