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The Financial Fraud Research Center estimates that a staggering $40 to $50 billion are lost to fraud each year in the United States alone.
Energy scams — or fraudulent schemes that specifically target energy consumers — make up a portion of those losses and range from silly to sophisticated. In 2012, for example, customers nationwide received communications claiming that President Barack Obama would personally pay their energy bills if they provided their social security number.
Other energy scams are more deceptive and serious. In May, customers in the Pittsburgh area received phone calls from fraudsters acting as utility representatives and demanding payment for an overdue bill. Most recently customers in Alberta, Canada are being contacted by individuals claiming to represent Direct Energy Business, and requiring immediate payment over the phone with a prepaid debit card to avoid a disconnection of service.
If you’re a Direct Energy Business customer and receive a call, email, text, or visit from someone asking for payment via prepaid debit card, please contact Direct Energy Business Customer Care at 1-866-867-8167.
For more information on how to protect your business from the various forms of energy fraud, check out this recent article.
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Posted: July 16, 2015