Better Business Bureau serving West Florida (BBB) is excited to announce a renewed partnership with leading utility providers Duke Energy Florida, Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas in a collective effort to combat the rising threat of utility scams. This initiative coincides with Utility Scam Awareness Day on Wednesday, aimed at educating consumers and businesses about the tactics employed by scammers and empowering them to protect themselves.
Utility scams have increasingly targeted individuals and businesses, with fraudsters using a variety of methods to exploit unsuspecting victims. This collaboration between the BBB and local utility companies seeks to provide consumers with vital knowledge and resources to help them recognize and avoid falling prey to these deceptive practices.
To amplify awareness, the organizations will launch a targeted social media campaign under the hashtag #UtilityScamAware. By sharing real stories, practical tips, and informative updates, the campaign aims to engage a wide audience and foster a community-focused approach in the fight against utility fraud.
Scammers often impersonate utility representatives through emails, phone calls, and in-person visits, using aggressive tactics to steal money from families and businesses.
“Utility scams pose a significant threat to both consumers and businesses,” said Karen Nalven, President of the Better Business Bureau serving West Florida. “By collaborating with Duke Energy, Tampa Electric, and Peoples Gas, we are proactively empowering our community with the knowledge and resources needed to combat these deceptive practices.”
According to the 2023 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report, victims of utility scams reported a median loss of $463. This report analyzes consumer data to reveal how scams are perpetrated, who is targeted, and which scams have the most impact. The BBB Risk Index evaluates exposure, susceptibility, and monetary loss, providing critical insights for those engaged in the fight against marketplace fraud.
In 2024 alone, nearly 800 Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas customers in Florida reported scam attempts, with more than 300 of those customers losing a total of $112,000.
As this initiative launches, consumers are urged to remain vigilant, verify the identities of anyone claiming to represent a utility company, and report suspicious activities to your local utility company and BBB Scam Tracker at BBB.org/scamtracker. Utility customers can also access BBB’s Scam Prevention Guide to help identify the warning signs of scams and fraud. For those consumers who have fallen victim to a scam BBB’s Scam Survival Toolkit can guide you through every step of creating a personalized recovery plan.
Common Scam Tactics Include:
- Threats of Disconnection: Scammers may aggressively claim that a customer's utility bill is overdue and that service will be disconnected unless immediate payment is made.
- Immediate Payment Requests: Victims might be instructed to purchase prepaid cards or use cryptocurrency to settle alleged debts.
- Prepaid Card Scams: Scammers often ask for the numbers of prepaid debit cards, which allows them instant access to funds. Utilities will never request payments via prepaid cards or payment apps.
- Caller ID Spoofing: Fraudsters may manipulate caller ID to make it appear as though they are calling from a legitimate utility provider, even mimicking the company’s voice response system.
Protect Yourself:
- If you suspect a scam, hang up and immediately contact your utility company using the phone number on your bill or their official website. Report the incident to local law enforcement and the BBB Scam Tracker.
- Do not make payments over the phone if pressured to avoid disconnection. Utilities provide advance disconnection notifications for delinquent accounts—not last-minute threats.
- Legitimate utility representatives will always carry company-issued identification. If in doubt, verify their identity by contacting your utility directly.
Stay informed and vigilant to protect yourself and your community from utility scams. For more information, visit utilitiesunited.org.
About Tampa Electric
Tampa Electric, one of Florida’s largest investor-owned electric utilities, serves more than 840,000 customers in West Central Florida. Tampa Electric is a subsidiary of Emera Inc., a geographically diverse energy and services company headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
