Wilmington business gets money wiring scam call twice

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A Wilmington business says a money wiring scam is hitting the area claiming to be with Duke Energy.

Owner of Sea Peace Pet Grooming Tanya Isley said she has been targeted twice. Isley said she first got the call a year and a half ago.

“He said, ‘this is Duke Power calling and we’re getting ready to turn your power off at your business and you have 45 minutes unless you pay 900 and some dollars,'” Isley said.

Isley said she told the person she always pays her bills on time.

“He says, ‘Nope you’ve been red flagged. We’ve sent out two notices to you and no response,'” Isley said.

Isley asked questions and then told him she would call him back. Then she called Duke Energy.

“They told me this is a scam,” Isley said.

A scam that she said could have hurt her business.

“Well, it would have put me back 900 and some dollars and they would have had my charge card, which would have been devastating,” Isley said.

She said the scam did not end there. Tuesday, Isley got another call.

“The same thing,” Isley said. “You’re power is getting ready to be turned off.”

She said it was the same script and the same scam.

“Evidently, it’s working for them, because they’re still doing it,” Isley said.

While Isley said she did not fall for it, she said it may not end that way for everyone.

“I was skeptical the first time, but I was very unaware that this was happening out there, so people need to know,” Isley said. “Don’t believe anything you hear and half of what you see.”

Isley said the phone number had an 801 area code. Duke Energy offers a list of tips on their website to avoid different kinds of fraud.