Dominion Virginia Power customers are being targeted by scammers who demand payment or threaten to cut off electric service, the company said in a news release.
The scammers are “targeting Spanish-Speaking customers, the elderly and businesses,” but Dominion is warning all customers to be aware. The customers who have been targeted have received calls from a person who claims to be a Dominion employee and says the customer’s service will be cut off unless the bill is paid quickly. The scammers have typically asked the customers to pay using a pre-paid debit card, such as a “Green Dot” card.
Scammers might also say a problem with the electric meter requires it to be replaced or a fire could occur. The scammers offer reimbursement at a later date for payment for the new meter.
“We hope this warning will be heeded and shared so that other customers can avoid traps like this,” said Gianna Clark, vice president of customer service operations in the release. “Scams are always troubling, particularly in these difficult economic times.”
True Dominion employees may call customers with late payments to remind them the payment is due but they will never ask for payment information. Employees will tell customers the forms of payment accepted for bills and how the payment can be made, but they will not take payment information over the phone.
In situations where a customer has received this type of call and still doesn’t pay the bill, Dominion will again call the customer asking them to call the customer service center. Dominion does not immediately cut off electric service for non-payment according to Daisy Pridgen, community affairs and broadcasting liaison for Dominion.
“We work out a reasonable payment plan with them … we do all we can to avoid [cutting off service],” Pridgen said.
Dominion customers targeted by the scammers should call 866-DOM-HELP as well as local law enforcement.
If a customer gets a call from someone claiming to be a Dominion representative, “they should be suspicious,” said Daisy Pridgen, community affairs and broadcasting liaison for Dominion.
If someone claiming to be a Dominion employee comes to a residence, customers should ask to see an official Dominion ID badge. Dominion employees visit homes for meter problems where it is determined a service man needs to perform work or look at the meter or in cases where work needs to be done around the property and the employee needs to let the homeowner know they will be working in the vicinity, Pridgen said.
“All Dominion employees carry a photo ID so they should be sure to ask for that ID,” she said.
For more information about Dominion, visit the website.
