Whiteville warns of utility scam

WHITEVILLE, NC (WWAY) — The City of Whiteville is warning residents about a scam targeting water customers.

According to a news release, a couple went to the city offices claiming that someone from the city was trying to collect money from them on the phone. The city says the call, which may look like it comes from a legitimate phone number, threatens to cut off water service if the customer doesn’t pay up.

Whiteville Safety & Risk Management Officer Hal Lowder said the couple that got the call knew they were not behind on their bill, so they went to City Hall, and it was determined that it was a phone scam. Even though the customers were not behind on their payments, the scammers said service would be shut off immediately unless the customer agreed to make an immediate payment by sending funds through a credit card, debit card or other means. Lowder said threats of immediate disconnection are generally a sign that customers have been contacted by a scam artist. He also said scammers can use computers to make it look like they’re calling from one place, when, in fact, they’re someplace else.

Lowder offers these tips to avoid falling victim to a utility scam:

* Never provide a Social Security Number, credit card number or banking information to anyone requesting it over the phone or in person unless you initiated the contact and feel confident with whom you are speaking.

* If you receive a call claiming to be your utility company and feel pressured for immediate payment or personal information, hang up the phone and call the customer service number on your utility bill.

* Always think safety first. Do not give in to high-pressure tactics over the phone.. Scammers can be reported to the Federal Trade Commission, online or by calling (877) FTC-HELP.

Anyone who gets a call like this is asked to call police.