When the utility bills are piling up, air conditioners are running at full power, and people are short of cash, it is easy to to be tempted to grasp at every offer of help that comes along, especially if that help is supposed to be from either the President of the United States or the federal government. Unfortunately, scammers are well aware of how vulnerable people can be when they are worried about money and feel desperate. Without any guilt at all, these criminals spring into action and take advantage of as many people as they can.
A New Scam
A new scam is sweeping the nation, and thousands of people have already fallen victim to it. According to an Associated Press news release dated August 13, 2012, people are receiving automated phone calls, text messages, and even flyers informing them that there is a new government untility program that will pay for up to $1,000 worth of your personal utility bills, whether it is your electricity, gas, water, cable or phone. All you have to do is contact this organization, and provide your Social Security number and other personal information to confirm your identity. Some of the personal information they ask for can include your credit card and checking account numbers.
Once you have turned over your personal information, you will be given a bank routing number and checking account number that you can use to pay your utility bills. The numbers initially work, so the victims believe they have benefited from a government program. Unfortunately, after the payments are processed a few hours or days later, the payment does not go through and the swindle becomes evident. The victims still owe money to the utility companies, but the swindlers now have your Social Security number and other personal information that they can use however they want. It's unbelievable that there are so many different swindles out there, but there are!
Thousands Have Been Tricked by this Scam
How many people have been affected by this scam? Initial reports are that about 10,000 New Jersey customers of Public Service Electric and Gas were scammed; so were 2,000 people in Louisiana and Texas, 2,000 in the Tampa, Florida area; 1,500 in the Carolinas, and 300 people in Mississippi. The scam continues to spread across the United States.
Often, the phone call or text message begins by saying that "Obama wants to pay your utility bills." It can also use other approaches such as, "You qualify for a new government program to help with your utility bills," or even "You may qualify to receive help on your utility bills." Any messages along these lines are a complete hoax. There is no such federal program.
How To Get Legitimate Assistance With Your Bills
If you truly have a low income, and you are having trouble paying for essential utilities, such as electricity or gas, many utility companies have special charitable programs that can help you. Occasionally these programs are mentioned on your utility bills, or on flyers that come in the envelope with your bill. You need to contact them, however, at the phone numbers listed on your bills. The utility companies will not send out mass texts to everyone in your city announcing the assistance they have available.
How to Avoid Being the Victim of a Hoax
The Better Business Bureau consistently warns people to never give out your personal information to someone who calls you, unless you have made the initial contact and you are absolutely certain that you know the person or company to whom you are talking. If you are worried about a business, check them out with the Better Business Bureau to make sure they are legitimate and do not have an unusual number of complaints against them. Be suspicious of anyone who asks you to give them your personal information.
Finally, one more word of warning. There is no federal program that will pay your utility bills, nor are there plans for one. Anyone who sends you an e-mail or text, or leaves a message on your phone, is only running a scam.
Source of AP Report: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/07/thousands_fall_victim_to_utili.html
You are reading from the blog: http://lies-and-liars.blogspot.com/
Photo courtesy of http://www.morguefile.com/
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