CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) - South Carolina Electric & Gas is urging business and residential customers to be aware of scam artists posing as SCE&G employees.

A scam that the Better Business Bureau says is affecting utility customers throughout the United States and Canada has also impacted SCE&G customers. Numerous customers have reported instances of individuals portraying themselves as SCE&G employees over the phone and warning them that they’re late on their utility bill. The scammer then says that their service will be cut off if they don’t pay immediately, instructs the customer to purchase a prepaid debit card and tells them to call back with the numbers on the card.

Other common elements of the most recent scam include:

• The scammer often targets small businesses, such as restaurants, that can’t afford to close, so they feel a sense of urgency.
  
  
• The scammer may suggest a specific local store from which the customer can purchase the prepaid card.
  
  
• Scammers use the practice of caller ID “spoofing,” which causes the customer’s phone to display a false caller ID. Often, the scammer will “spoof” a local number, perhaps even using the utility’s standard customer service number.
  
  
• Scammers like prepaid debit cards because they don’t have to show a photo ID to spend money on the cards. All they need is the number on the card.

“We encourage our customers to call us if they have any concerns about their accounts,” said Molly Morris, general manager of customer service for SCE&G. “If you have any doubt whatsoever about the legitimacy of a caller, hang up and call our Customer Service Center at 1-800-251-7234.”

“SCE&G does not ask customers to purchase payment cards from local convenience or drug stores for bill payment purposes,” continued Morris. “Bill payments are accepted at SCE&G business offices, by mail, authorized payment agencies, online or through SCE&G's phone payment provider, BillMatrix, by calling 1-800-450-9160.”
If someone believes they have been a victim of this scam, Morris recommends calling SCE&G’s customer service department at 1-800-251-7234 and their local law enforcement agency.

Source: http://www.live5news.com/story/23074471/sceg-warns-customers-of-phone-scam

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