Utility Scam Awareness Day aims to help individuals learn how to spot suspicious behavior

NOVEMBER 16TH IS THIS YEAR’S “UTILITY-SCAM AWARENESS DAY”. AND, MONICA MARTINEZ—THE EXECUTIVE-DIRECTOR OF “UTILITIES UNITED AGAINST SCAMS”—URGES EVERYONE TO LEARN HOW TO SPOT SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOR… “UTILITY-SERVICES ARE VITAL TO OUR EVERYDAY LIVES. THAT’S WHY SCAMMERS ATTEMPT TO PROFIT FROM CUSTOMERS—ESPECIALLY LOWER-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS AND THE ELDERLY. COMMON SCAMS INVOLVE UNSOLICITED TELEPHONE-, ELECTRONIC-, OR IN-PERSON-COMMUNICATIONS. AND, SCAMMERS OFTEN THREATEN TO DISCONNECT OR SHUT OFF SERVICE—IF THE CUSTOMER FAILS TO MAKE AN IMMEDIATE PAYMENT. IF YOUR BILL IS DELINQUENT, UTILITIES WILL SEND SEVERAL ADVANCE-NOTICES—USUALLY BY MAIL—AND WILL ACCEPT MULTIPLE FORMS OF PAYMENT. THAT’S WHY YOU SHOULD NEVER BUY A PREPAID CARD WITH THE SOLE PURPOSE OF USING IT TO PAY A BILL. WHEN IN DOUBT, CHECK THE STATUS OF YOUR ACCOUNT—BY CALLING THE UTILITY AT THE PHONE-NUMBER THAT’S LISTED ON YOUR BILL, OR ON THE COMPANY’S WEBSITE.” FOR MORE TIPS, VISIT “UTILITIES-UNITED”-DOT-ORG. I’M BOB TEBO, FOR THE “CONSUMER RADIO NETWORK”.