The holiday season can create more opportunities for fraudulent activity, so be aware and protect yourself with these important reminders:
Utility payment fraud
People have reported receiving telephone calls from individuals who claim to represent Duke Energy. These individuals demand an immediate payment, usually within a short time frame, with a prepaid debit card to cover past-due accounts, payments not received or checks that did not clear. Please remember – if you have an unpaid electric bill, you will be notified about overdue payments in advance. We also do not require that you pay your bills with a prepaid debit card. You may pay online, by phone, with a bank draft, by mail or in person.
Confirm employee identity
Official repersentatives from Duke Energy do not arrive unannounced at a customer's home or business and ask to enter to perform work, unless there is an emergency or safety-related issue. We encourage you not to open your door for a utility worker unless you can confirm the person's identity. Our employees carry company badges with photographs, and our contractors will also carry proper identification. Fraudulent vehicle signs and clothing can be easily created and look authentic, so please verify a person's identity by their company badge before you give them access to your home or business.
If you or someone you know has a question about whether someone is a legitimate representative of Duke Energy, call the company at 1-800-700-8744. Call police immediately if you believe the person is an imposter. Guard against fraud – never share your personal information, including birthday, Social Security number or banking account information.
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