BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — A scam that hit much of the country in June has now reached utility customers in Alabama, natural gas company Alagasco and the Better Business Bureau of Central Alabama said today.
According to a BBB spokeswoman, Alagasco and media accounts from other states, scammers have been going door-to-door and using text messages, social media and handbills to solicit personal data such as social security numbers. The scammers claim that a grant program authorized by President Barack Obama will pay their utility bills, if they provide the personal data.
http://liarcatchers.com/identity_theft_investigation.html
The Better Business Bureau of Central Alabama has received “dozens” of reports of the scam in greater Birmingham, an operator said.
The scam is believed to be in support of identity theft.
“In some cases, scammers have asked for social security numbers in order to allow for credits toward or to apply payments to customers’ bills. This scam represents an identity theft risk,” Energen said in a prepared statement.
Utilities urged customers to call police and the Better Business Bureau requested if they encounter the scam.
Alagasco said customers should exercise caution and note that its employees carry proper identification and do not go to customers’ homes and ask for social security numbers.
