Over the past two days, OMU customers have been targeted by scam calls and texts. Scammers have contacted numerous utility customers aggressively demanding payment and threatening disconnection of services.
Utility scams are a nationwide issue and unfortunately many customers fall prey to these threats. Often callers are able to cloak the number they are calling from, presenting themselves as the utility. This has been the case in this most recent series of scams.
Owensboro Municipal Utilities works diligently to protect billing and account information. However, criminals have been known to target utility customers directly, presenting themselves as OMU employees or workers for other local entities.
“We encourage customers who suspect they are being targeted by a scammer to hang up and call OMU directly at 270-926-3200,” explained Sonya Dixon, Communications and Public Relations Manager. “There is no evidence that this is a result of a breach. Other utilities in our area are being targeted as well.”
In addition, here are a few tips to assist customers in avoiding utility fraud.
- OMU will never ask for vital personal information over the phone and will only take credit card information when you want to pay by phone.
- If you’re unsure if a call is actually coming from OMU (as scammers can often confuse your caller ID systems), please ask for the employee’s name, hang up and call OMU’s Customer Service Center at 270-926-3200 and ask for that employee.
- OMU employees carry proper ID and will be glad to show that identification upon entering your yard or approaching your home or business.
- OMU field personnel also drive clearly marked vehicles.
- Our workers in the field will never ask for a credit card.
- Do not share your account number, banking information or other customer information if you cannot verify the caller or visitor is an OMU employee.
- If you are unsure that someone is an OMU employee, ask for their identification and do not let them into your home. Call our Customer Service Center at (270) 926-3200 and confirm their information.
- The Federal Trade Commission provides useful information on avoiding all types of scams.