Wednesday is Utility Scam Awareness Day, and Cleco is reminding customers to be aware of fraudulent phone calls, texts and emails from scammers trying to obtain their personal and financial information.

Cleco is a member of Utilities United Against Scams (UUAS), a group of utilities who work together to raise awareness of common scams and new scams being used by utility impostors.

With the help of customers, UUAS has successfully helped to take more than 14,830 toll-free numbers used by scammers out of operation.

“Scammers use many different tactics to try and catch our customers off guard,” said Andre Guillory, chief customer officer. “Utility scammers are using increasingly sophisticated techniques to impersonate utilities. It is important that our customers are aware of scammer tactics to avoid being deceived.”

“We encourage customers to stop and verify any unusual utility company requests before making a payment, regardless of whether the customer is contacted via phone, internet or in person,” said UUAS Executive Director Monica Martinez. “While scammers often target elderly and vulnerable populations, customers in all age groups are reporting utility impostor scam incidents that take place online, on the phone and in person.”

How Cleco customers can protect themselves:

• Slow down
  Take your time. Scammers try to pressure customers to act fast.

• Remember that Cleco will never call customers to demand immediate payment or ask for payments using a pre-paid debit card, gift card, cryptocurrencies or third-party digital payment mobile application.
• Customers are sent a notice before a service interruption.

• Verify
  Scammers often pose as utility company employees. If customers receive a phone call, text message, email or knock at the door, they should contact Cleco directly to verify the information using one of the following communication channels:

• Phone: 1-800-622-6537
• Online: www.cleco.com (Contact Us page) or the company’s online customer information system, MyAccount
• In-Person: Local customer service office

Common scams:

• Disconnection Deception
  Scammers call threatening to disconnect your service if you don’t make an immediate payment.
• Overpayment Trick
  Scammers call claiming you overpaid your utility bill, and you need to provide personal bank account information or a credit card number to facilitate a refund.
• Bill Payment or Credit Con
  Scammers provide you with a phony account routing number to use to pay your utility bill, receive a credit or obtain federal assistance.
• Power Restoration Rip Off Charge
  Scammers call offering to restore your electricity more quickly for a fee after a severe storm that caused widespread power outages.
• Number Spoofing
  Scammers use technology to disguise their identity and make it appear as if a call is coming from a local number or business, so you will answer the call.

Customers who suspect that they have been victims of fraud or who feel threatened should contact Cleco and their local law enforcement authorities. 

Visit www.utilitiesunited.org for more information and tips on how customers can protect themselves from impostor utility scams.