AUB Warns of Utility Scam

Media Contact:

Wayne Scarbrough

(423) 745-4501 ext. 6002

wscarbrough@aub.org

June 26, 2017

ATHENS--Local business proprietors and homeowners beware. Multiple AUB residential customers report that they have received calls saying their power was about to be turned off unless they made payments on the spot, over the phone.

Two residential customers were called but neither fell for the scam. The scam artist claimed to "work for the utility company" leading each customer to call AUB for confirmation on the accounts. Upon investigating each account, AUB employees confirmed that both accounts were in good standing with no balance due and not scheduled for disconnection.

Utility spokesman Wayne Scarbrough said that AUB never makes such calls demanding immediate payment over the phone.

"Any phone payments to AUB are initiated by the customer calling the utility, not the other way around," he said. "And AUB does not send employees to collect at your door."

AUB recommends that if you get such a call to hang up and report it to local authorities. Not only could thieves collect money, they also could collect sensitive information used to steal an identity.

He said that in some cities, the scammers have the technology to make the utility's name and show up on caller ID units, convincing some victims that the call is legitimate.

"For reassurance regarding your AUB account, call us at 745-4501 and ask for a customer service representative to review your account with you. And remember that any AUB employee that shows up at your property for any reason should be in a vehicle emblazoned with the AUB logo, should be able to produce an AUB photo ID and should be wearing clothing with the AUB logo," Scarbrough said.

-xxx-