In recognition of Utility Scam Awareness Day on November 20, OG&E is joining electric and gas companies from across the nation in educating customers about common utility scams and ways to avoid them.
Check out these valuable tips and reminders on how to stay safe amidst rising scams:
Tips to Avoid Scams
- Protect Your Personal Information
- If you aren’t expecting a call from OG&E or any other utility, be cautious of sharing or confirming financial information with anyone initiating contact with you.
- This includes, among other items, Social Security number, date of birth, banking account details, and debit or credit card numbers.
- Take Your Time
o If someone calls, approaches you in person, or emails you saying you must pay your bill immediately to avoid disconnection, verify that they are a legitimate utility company representative by calling a verified number for the utility company before giving them money or sensitive information. Visit OGE.com/ContactUs for verified OG&E phone numbers.
o While a scammer will discourage you from hanging up and calling the number on your utility bill, a real utility representative will encourage you to do so for your own peace of mind.
- Check For Previous Notices
- Customers with delinquent accounts receive advance disconnection notification included with their regular monthly bill—never a single notification shortly before disconnection.
- Ask Questions
- Ask the person calling you or visiting you in person to provide you with your account number, your last payment amount, date of payment, and their employee identification number.
- Pay Your Utility Only
o Never make a utility bill payment to any person calling you on the phone, coming to your door, texting you, or emailing you.
o OG&E customers should always go directly to OGE.com/PaymentOptions to pay your bill online or visit OGE.com/ContactUs for verified OG&E phone numbers or use the U.S. Payments phone number (fees will apply) printed directly on your OG&E monthly bill.
- Report Scams
o Oklahoma customers can report scams to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov/assistant or contact the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office at consumerprotection@oag.ok.gov.
o Arkansas customers can report scams to the Arkansas Attorney General’s office by emailing consumer@ArkansasAG.gov.
- Stay Updated on Scams
o Scammers are constantly updating their tactics, and you will need to stay educated on new types of scams and tips to avoid them.
o Review guides, reports, utility and trade association websites, local, state and federal law enforcement websites and consumer information websites.
o If you’re not expecting a call from OG&E or any other utility, ignore phone numbers you do not recognize.
Remember – OG&E will NOT:
- Call customers directly for payment, even if their balance is past due.
- Demand that customers pay ANY bill with a pre-paid debit card.
- Ask customers to meet in person to make a payment.
- Come to a customer’s home or business to collect payment in cash.
- Call and threaten immediate disconnection without prior notice.
- Come to a customer’s home or business demanding payment or selling products like solar panels.
Source: OGE release
