Member-only story
Google a Utility Website with Caution
Your electric provider website may be a fake
Instead of typing in or using a favorite link in their browser, many people search for their electricity provider or other utilities they use by name.
Cybercriminals purchase utility payment ads in hopes that unsuspecting victims might click on their ad instead of the real payment portal.
When you click on one of these ads, you will be prompted to call a phone number. Then the scammer will frighten you with demands that you must pay your bill immediately. Or they may give you fake offers to save money, but you must act right away. Once they have your payment info or some kind of payment, you’ll never get it back and the utility bills will still be stacking up.
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Here are a few tips to avoid falling into a scammer’s trap.
- Don’t fall for offers that sound too good to be true
- Payments by unusual means is usually a tell-tale sign such as gift cards and money transfers
- Keep in mind that anyone can purchase advertisement. Ads should be scrutinized carefully before links are clicked.
- Save the real utility links as a favorite in your browser
- Use shortcuts on your desktop with the links
- If the utility provider has an app, use that instead
Stay safe out there.
