Regulatory Commission of Alaska

Consumer Alert:   The Federal Trade Commission warns of utility bill scam that asks for payment via GreenDot, PayPal or Prepaid Gift Card. The scam involves telephone callers claiming to be from a utility company and then employing a variety of techniques to defraud customers.  Some threaten customers with disconnecting electric service to their home or business if they don’t make a payment immediately.  The scam artist instructs them to send money via prepaid card or online payment service, such as PayPal or GreenDot, before their power is shut off.  The scammer’s caller-ID is falsified so it appears to originate from the utility company, a practice known as “spoofing.”