Florida Power & Light and Duke Energy Florida issue reports on how to identify utility scams
Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) and Duke Energy Florida filed a report with the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) on the various scams targeting utility customers and how to combat them.
The utilities listed some common scam tactics, like an email or text asking for a utility account number or Social Security number or a call pretending to be a utility employee demanding immediate payment. Another scam is a visit by a utility employee impersonator offering a free energy audit to gain access to a residence. They may also use a false web domain to send an invoice or get goods or services.
“Scams happen every day and often prey on vulnerable populations,” PSC Chairman Andrew Fay said. “We must continue to arm customers with the tools and information they need to avoid becoming victims of these scams, along with additional resources to fight back.”
Brandon Green, director of consumer advocacy at Duke Energy Florida, said that customers report roughly 10,000 scams a month. The company is a founding member of Utilities United Against Scams, and through that organization, it runs an annual scam awareness month each November. Further, Duke has rolled out a new scam reporting tool that helps customers protect others in their community by identifying the scammer’s tactics and location.
Melissa Booher, customer advocacy manager at FPL, said that scam targets are expanding to include business customers. FPL continuously communicates with customers to keep them updated on the latest scams, Booher said. If a customer becomes a victim, they should report it to the local police department, as well as to FPL.
Both companies said that a utility will never call, text, or email demanding payment by pre-paid card, wire transfer, or banking app, nor will they request personal information over the phone unless initiated by the customer. Further, utilities do not conduct door-to-door sales and will never show up unannounced to perform an energy audit.
FPL customers can report a scam at www.FPL.com/protect. Duke Energy Florida customers can report a scam on Duke Energy’s website.
