SHALIMAR Gulf Power is asking its customers to beware of people impersonating utility company employees.
The con artists have been contacting the company's customers by phone. They tell the customer their electric bill is past due and then threaten to cut off their electricity if the customer does not provide a credit card payment immediately. The perpetrator then uses the card numbers to make fraudulent purchases.
To prevent being scammed by the fake phone call, remember the following:
●Gulf Power employees will never call a customer at home or a business seeking any personal information, including credit card numbers.
●Gulf Power representatives will never ask a customer for money when they visit a home or business.
●All Gulf Power representatives carry badges with picture identification that includes the employee’s name and the company’s name and logo.
●Customers should call Gulf Power at 1-800-225-5797 if they have any questions about the identity of anyone representing Gulf Power.
To report a fraud or scam call the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Unit, 651-7410.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office: Gulf Power scam resurfaces