Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.

Paymentus Email Scam Targets Utility Customers
Paymentus Email Scam Targets Utility Customers

​Utility customers ask to be aware of a new Paymentus email scam that involves fake electricity bills say their utility payment is due immediately. ​Utility customers receive an email with a bill that looks different from your normal bill, is from a different utility company, or asks for personal information like your Social Security or credit card numbers, they should delete the email immediately and not click on any links as they may go to phishing websites that steal account credentials, personal and financial information.

In the event that someone emails or calls you and says they are from an electric company and asks for payment, please keep in mind:

  • Electric companies will not email you with threats to pay your account - customers who are behind on their electric bills receive written notices of a possible disconnection and how to prevent it.
  • If you are unsure if an email or call is from your electric company, you should call the main customer service number for your electric company immediately.
  • Your electric company will not ask for your bank information or credit card number over the phone.
  • Delete any emails from utilities that are not your service provider.
  • Ignore suspicious requests for personal information such as bank account numbers, user names and passwords, credit card numbers, or Social Security numbers.
  • Delete all suspicious emails that require immediate action to verify or demand personal information.

If you believe you have been a victim of this scam or any other scam, please contact your local police department or your state attorney general’s office.

Visit the Federal Trade Commission’s site for information on how you can protect your personal information. If you have been victimized by this scam, we encourage you to report it online to the U.S. Department of Justice Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force at stopfraud.gov.

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