In order to serve you better, please select your Dominion Energy location services.
In order to serve you better, please select your Dominion Energy location services.
RICHMOND, Va., Jan. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Dominion Virginia Power is warning its customers about a scam involving phone calls from a person claiming to be a company employee, demanding immediate payment of utility bills. The caller claims electric service will be cut off unless the bill is paid within a matter of hours, usually by using a pre-paid debit card such as a "Green Dot card."
The caller also may claim that a problem with an electric meter could result in a fire if not immediately replaced, offering reimbursement from Dominion at a later date if payment is made now.
Dominion may phone customers whose bills are in arrears to remind them payment is due, but never asks for specific payment information -- only directing customers how to make a payment. The company encourages anyone who is improperly contacted about making a payment over the phone to call 1-866-DOM-HELP and local law enforcement officials. In addition, customers should ask to see an official Dominion ID from anyone who comes to their residence and claims to be from the company.
"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. "Scams are always troubling, particularly in these difficult economic times."
The scammers have been targeting Spanish-speaking customers, the elderly and businesses throughout Virginia, but all customers should be aware of the possibility of being scammed. If you have questions or concerns about a phone call from someone claiming to be a Dominion employee, report the suspicious activity to Dominion by calling 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357).
The Better Business Bureau provides these tips to avoid falling for a scam:
Dominion (NYSE: D) is one of the nation's largest producers and transporters of energy, with a portfolio of approximately 27,400 megawatts of generation and 6,300 miles of electric transmission lines. Dominion serves retail energy customers in 15 states. For more information about Dominion, visit the company's website at www.dom.com.
Follow us on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/DomVAPower.
'Like' us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dominionvirginiapower
SOURCE Dominion Virginia Power
Copyright © 2024 Dominion Energy