Consumers with telephone, internet, and electricity connections have long been targets for utility scams. But in today’s digital world, every swipe and click increases the risk of potential scams.
Scammers are more sophisticated than ever before, and they understand our increasing reliance on technology. With their sharpened digital knives, scammers have adapted their tactics to trick unsuspecting consumers through a variety of methods.
K.C. Electric wants to help you avoid energy scams, whether a financial loss or leak of your personal information. This month, I’d like to share updates on some of the latest utility scams, as well as tips to help you stay safe from even the craftiest scammers.
Recent Utility Scams
Scammers typically disguise themselves — either physically or digitally — as utility employees or representatives to steal consumers’ money or personal information.
A common trick is to claim a consumer’s bill is past due and threaten to disconnect service if payment isn’t received immediately. Scammers approach consumers through a variety of means, including phone calls, text messages, emails, and even in-person visits. However, the digital line of attack is increasingly more common.
For example, new capabilities disguising caller ID or “spoofing” can make the phone number you see on caller ID appear to be from a trusted source. Another scam uses fraudulent websites that mimic utility payment pages — often promoted on search engines to trick consumers into making payments.
A newer scam involves contact from someone claiming you overpaid your electric bill and will receive a cash or banking refund — a tactic to steal your personal information.
Spotting a Scam
There are several red flags that can help you identify a scam:
- High-pressure tactics that create a sense of urgency, like threats of immediate service disconnection.
- Requests for unusual payment methods such as gift cards or cryptocurrency.
- Poor grammar, spelling errors, and strange email addresses in digital communications.
What K.C. Electric Will (and Won’t) Do
K.C. Electric will never:
- Demand an immediate payment and threaten to disconnect your service without prior notices or warnings.
- Ask for your Social Security number or banking information over the phone or via email.
We offer secure payment options including:
- In-person payments
- Online via kcelectric.coop
- Scheduled payments and ACH
- SmartHub app
Avoiding Scams
Whether in person, over the phone, or online, always be suspicious of someone claiming to be a K.C. Electric employee who asks for personal or banking information.
If you’re ever in doubt, call us directly at 719-743-2431. By staying informed and reporting potential scams, you become the first line of defense against utility fraud in our community.
David Churchwell is the General Manager of K.C. Electric Association. KC Electric’s mission is to provide our members with safe, reliable service at the lowest cost, while maintaining an environmentally responsible, accountable, and sustainable operation now and in the future.
