CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Chattanooga Gas is raising awareness on utility scams as they’ve become more prevalent.
Chattanooga Gas says they want customers to stay alert for potential scam activities, such as:
- Threats to disconnect their natural gas service if immediate payment is not made.
- Requests that payments be made from a single method, such as a debit card, prepaid card, checking account, cryptocurrency or to send funds via a mobile app to make a bill payment.
- Claims they have overpaid, and their bank account or credit card number is needed for a refund.
- Requests to vacate their home so that a meter or other natural gas equipment can be replaced.
- Suggestions through social media that their bill will be covered by a charity after they make a partial payment by way of a wire transfer.
When trying to decipher the difference between a scam call and a real call, Chattanooga Gas says their employees will identify themselves as a Chattanooga Gas representative.
Customers can request the representative confirm some of the customers account information, such as:
- Date of last payment
- Amount of last payment
- Account number
Chattanooga Gas emphasizes that they will never request account information or credit card information via email…