Gulf Power Warns Of Scam

March 27, 2013

Gulf Power is asking residents to be  alert after scam artists have victimized residents in Northwest Florida recently by impersonating utility company employees.

Someone impersonating a Gulf Power employee contacted a resident by telephone, the company said. The caller told the victim that their electric bill was past due and that electricity would be cut off if the customer did not provide a credit card payment immediately. The card numbers were then used to make fraudulent purchases.

To prevent this from happening, the company is offering these tips:

  • Gulf Power employees will never call a customer at home seeking any personal information including credit card numbers.
  • Gulf Power representatives will never ask a customer for money when they visit a residence.
  • 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.

Gulf Power is working with local law enforcement agencies to identify the perpetrators. If anyone has been victimized by one of these schemes, or has any information about suspects, they are asked to call local law enforcement and to contact Gulf Power at 1-800-225-5797.

Comments

3 Responses to “Gulf Power Warns Of Scam”

  1. Me on March 28th, 2013 11:04 pm

    Actually, Gulf Power does have an automatic telephone system that will alert you if you are close to a disconnect date. It’s a recording that tells you to call them back and then provides a toll free number. A rep doesn’t personally call you, but they do have a system in place.

  2. Randy on March 27th, 2013 11:53 am

    1. I was contacted by these creeps. Knew it was a scam from the beginning, but I thought I would have a little fun with them. So I asked them for my account number and they told me to hold on a minute. I said fine the longer I keep you on the line, the closer I am to finding your location. Okay got it, now I am going to call law enforcement. The next sound I heard was the click of the receiver when they hung-up…

  3. Stacey Adams on March 27th, 2013 9:03 am

    I don’t think Gulf Power would call you to tell you they are going to disconnect your service. That notice is printed on your bill with a disconnect date. I can see where people would fall for this as busy as society keeps us. Shame on those who won’t earn an honest dollar and prey on our eldery and hard working folks.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News