FirstEnergy says someone's calling customers and asking them to pay with pre-paid cards
(Akron) - FirstEnergy Corporation is warning customers about a scam that's been reported to the utility company.
A telephone caller posing as an electric utility company employee threatens to shut off the victim's power unless an immediate payment is made using a pre-paid debit card, such as a Green Dot card.
These pre-paid cards typically are available at convenience stores and drug stores and can be used by consumers to pay bills or add money to online accounts. However, Green Dot cards are not officially sanctioned by FirstEnergy as a bill payment method.
“Customers should know that if they get a call from someone demanding payment of their electric bill by using a Green Dot card, they are being scammed and should report the crime to local authorities,” said Ronald I. Green, vice president, Customer Service, FirstEnergy. “While we may phone a customer whose bill is in arrears in order to remind them that a payment is due, we would explain how a payment can be made using established payment options.”
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