Oak Ridge Today

Oak Ridge warns of utility scam

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The City of Oak Ridge is once again receiving calls from customers who have been targeted by scammers posing as city employees. The scams are currently being directed at commercial customers, but have been aimed at residential customers in the past, a press release said.

The scam begins when a caller advises the customer that their utility bill is past due and that a “technician” is on the way to disconnect their utilities. The customer is advised to pay the bill immediately with either cash or a pre-pay credit card to avoid disconnection. The caller can be very convincing and they have garnered a long list of victims across the country. [Read more…]

City of Oak Ridge warns of utility scam

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City of Oak Ridge Seal

Oak Ridge utility customers, including commercial customers, should be aware that a scam regarding a meter change out program is happening in the area, officials said.

In this scam, a customer receives a call from someone claiming to be a representative from an electric company that provides electricity for the residents of Oak Ridge. The representative states the customer should have received a notice last week that the electric company will be changing out meters in the city, and the customer is asked to pay a deposit ($700-$900) to avoid interruption in the electric service. In some cases, the customer has been told the deposit will be refunded on the next bill. [Read more…]

Utility scam warning for businesses

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WYSH Radio in Clinton had a scam warning on Monday for businesses who are also customers of Clinton Utilities Board.

Earlier this month, a CUB official notified the Clinton Police Department that three businesses had contacted the utility reporting that they had received phone calls from two different numbers in which the caller told them that they were with the “CUB Disconnect Office” and that they were behind on their bills. In each case, the caller told the business that their service would be disconnected if payment was not made immediately and then provided instructions on how to wire the money through a money service from Walmart or Kmart. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge warns utility customers of multistate scam

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Oak Ridge officials on Thursday warned utility customers to be aware of a new multistate utility scam that has affected Tennessee residents.

A city press release said scammers have told victims that President Barack Obama has approved special funding through the Federal Reserve Bank for utility bill help. But there is no such funding.

The victims are given fraudulent bank account and routing numbers to use when paying their bills, but only after they give their Social Security number and other personal information, the release said.

[Read more…]