Electric company customers in Seminole County are the latest potential victims of phishing scams.
The Longwood Police Department is investigating several recent complaints from homeowners who say someone is calling them claiming to be Duke Energy, or another power company and threatening to cut off their power within one hour if they don’t provide financial information for a payment.
Some people may be skeptical when they get those phone calls, but not everyone is. Longwood Attorney Vicki Levy Eskin worries about many of her elderly clients.
“They get phone calls from people and if it sounds anxious enough, they’re going to listen to it,” said Eskin.
Investigators tried to trace the calls, but in every case the source of the scam was from an untraceable number. Longwood Police say the numbers are often established using the product MagicJack.
The scammers are not only pretending to be power companies. Eskin knows all too well. She said one a man recently called claiming someone called claiming to be collecting debts for her law office, and if he didn't wire funds immediately he would be served with a summons.
Luckily the potential victim called the law firm, verified the call didn’t come from them, and they didn’t fall victim to the scam.
Duke Energy said they will never just cut someone’s power off before repeated attempts to work with the customer for payment. They will never ask their customers to purchase pre-paid debit cards to pay a bill.
And bottom line, if the call seems suspicious, they say simply hang up and use a number you know is legit to call the company back. Always verify if it is really that company calling you.
“Call Duke Energy, call the bank, call the law office, because these people are very believable,” said Eskin.
Duke Energy has information on the scam on the company's website.