Oncor Shares How Customers Can Protect Themselves from Scammers

Oncor has been informed of a recent influx of scam attempts, many of which are very convincing. While Oncor delivers electricity to more than 13 million Texans, it is not a retailer and does not sell the electricity directly to customers.

Red Flags: What to Look For

Scammers generally use similar tactics and methods when impersonating a utility. You can protect yourself by being familiar with those tactics and knowing what to look out for:

 Threat to disconnect: Scammers may aggressively tell a customer their utility bill is past due and service will be disconnected if a payment is not made immediately.

• Request immediate payment: The imposter may instruct a customer to provide credit card information or quickly buy a prepaid debit card for immediate bill payment to their utility.
• Request for prepaid debit card information: When the customer returns the scammer’s call, the scammer will ask the customer for the prepaid debit card’s number, which grants the scammer instant access to the funds.
• Request for payment via cryptocurrency: As it becomes more popular, scammers may request payment via popular digital currencies - such as Bitcoin.

Ways to Protect Yourself

• Do not give out credit card information or purchase prepaid cards: Oncor will never ask to collect money to avoid service disconnection or shutoff. If someone threatens immediate disconnection or shutoff of service, customers should hang up the phone, delete the email or text, or shut the door.
• Be wary when a stranger comes to your home: Oncor representatives do not need to enter your home for any reason, especially to perform work. If someone claims to work for Oncor and tries to enter your home, do not let them in. Call 911 if you fear for your safety.
• Always ask for photo identification: Oncor employees and authorized contractors performing work for Oncor will always carry company identification, wear company uniforms, and drive company vehicles. Even if you are expecting an Oncor representative to perform some type of service at your property, always request and verify identification.
• Verify online information: When using internet search engines, make sure you’re visiting official websites. Scammers may use fraudulent phone numbers or websites as a way to get in contact with customers.

If you suspect a scam, call the Oncor Customer Contact Center at 888-313-6862. Read the full article here.