PINEVILLE, N.C. — The Town of Pineville is warning utility customers about a phone scam reportedly targeting customers of other municipally owned electric utilities.
While Pineville officials said the scam has not been reported locally, they are urging customers to be aware and take precautions.
In the scam, callers request payments for electric service while spoofing the utility company’s actual phone number. This can make the call appear to be coming directly from the utility.
Officials warn customers not to assume a call is legitimate simply because caller ID displays the town’s phone number. Scammers can manipulate phone numbers to make fraudulent calls appear authentic.
The town offered these reminders to help customers protect themselves:
- Be cautious of unexpected calls requesting immediate payment.
- Do not rely on caller ID alone to verify who is calling.
- Do not let pressure, threats of disconnection or a sense of urgency influence your decision.
- Never provide payment or personal financial information if you are unsure who is calling.
- If you receive a suspicious call or have questions about your utility account, hang up and contact Pineville Utilities directly using the phone number listed on the town’s official website.
The town does contact customers about past-due utility accounts and outstanding payments, typically after the 14th of the month when payment is due and has not been received. However, customers are encouraged to verify any unexpected or suspicious payment request.
Scammers often use urgency and fear to pressure people into acting quickly. Taking time to verify a request can help protect customers and their families from fraud.