Criminals tend to use the disruption of a hurricane or other natural disaster to target vulnerable communities and individuals. According to the FBI, Florida is one of the top 10 states most impacted by phishing scams.
In 2022, more than $90 million in losses were reported by seniors across Florida.
OUC-The Reliable One offers these tips to help outsmart utility scammers:
- If you receive a phone call or email demanding payment or risk having utility services cut off, hang up the phone or delete the email. This is a scam.
- Do not click on links in text messages, QR codes or reply to voicemails that warn about losing service.
- If someone claiming to represent OUC comes to your home and makes a similar request, close the door and call the police. This is a scam, too.
- Do not disclose personal information – including Social Security number, credit card number or bank account.
- Ensure your virus protection software is up to date on your computer, and do not click on pop-ups claiming you must pay your utility bill immediately.
- Do not wire money to anyone claiming to represent OUC or another utility provider.
- Like most utility companies, OUC notifies customers in writing when an account is past due and follows up with a phone call before disconnecting services. Customers signed up for proactive alerts are also informed of their account status.
- OUC does not demand immediate payment and never sends employees to customers’ homes to collect payment or warn them of disconnection.
- Visit OUC.com to log in to your account or call 407-423-9018 to check your account status.
- Customers who suspect they’ve been the targets of utility scams should contact OUC at [email protected]or 407-423-9018 and notify their local law enforcement agency.
- Victims can also file a complaint with the Florida Attorney General’s Office at MyFloridaLegal.com or by calling 1-866-9NO-SCAM.
