A utility bill phone scam that’s been used on people nationwide recently victimized a local Entergy customer.
According to the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office, a Luling man received a telephone call from someone claiming to represent Entergy.
The caller claimed if the victim did not pay an alleged bill balance of $498.12 that the power at his residence would be turned off. The victim complied by paying the sum with a reloadable money card, but then realized he’d been scammed.
Entergy customers have been targeted nationally in recent years by similar phone scammers, calling residents about supposed past-due bills and introducing themselves as members of the utility company’s disconnect department. The perpetrators target both residential and business customers.
In May, a New Orleans clothing store was reportedly targeted.
St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesman Cpl. James Grimaldi said he couldn’t recall any other recent examples of the utility scam surfacing in the parish, but said the Sheriff’s Office is aware of it and that it has happened here before.
“It is not the first time we have witnessed variations of it in St. Charles Parish,” Grimaldi said. “There are many different variations of the scam such as alleged IRS debts and prize winnings in which you must pay U.S. Customs fees.”Scam tactics have become more advanced over the years, with many perpetrators exhibiting the ability to block or alter a victim’s caller ID, in effect hiding the caller’s identity or even, potentially, falsely showing the call as being from a company like Entergy.
Grimaldi said past cases have shown calls often come from a blocked caller, no caller ID available or just a random 1-800 or 1-900 telephone number.
He also said reloadable “green dot cards” and reloadable money cards are typically requested as payment among scammers.
“My understanding is that the cards are usable outside of the country and are harder to track because no sign-up is required,” Grimaldi said.
Grimaldi said a way to limit exposure to these scams is to not make these transactions over the phone, particularly given a caller cannot verify their name, company or the alleged bill.
He said if a bill can’t be sent to the receiver in enough time to prevent a disconnect, the receiver should verify their bill online. If one does not have a computer, he or she may go to their local library and use the internet. If this isn’t an option, the person should use an excuse such as they have company over or is busy and will call back in a few minutes.
Then the person should look up the number for the energy service provider such as Entergy and ask to speak with someone about a disconnect.
“I am sure Entergy is also aware of the scams and will be more than happy to verify any account balances and services needed,” Grimaldi said.
He also advised scam victims have reported the caller is pushy and aggressive, or may even ask to remain on the phone while the victim goes out to purchase a money card. “If the victim feels uneasy about the telephone call, they need to contact the Sheriff’s Office and report the incident immediately,” Grimaldi said.
“Most importantly, the callers act like they know you and know your personal information,” he said. “If they call and ask you to confirm your name, date of birth, address or even Social Security number, do not do it. Tell them you do not provide your personal information over the phone but if they have a company website, you will be more than happy to go to the site to access your account.
“Most of all, though, Entergy, Atmos, Cox and none of the other major service providers will request that a bill is paid by a reloadable gift card or a western union money gram. Contact the Sheriff’s Office and have those incidents documented.”
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