Skip to main content
  • Call
    Contact Us

    TOLL FREE: 1-866-9-NO-SCAM

     
  • File Complaint
Logo
  • Home
  • Meet the Attorney General
    • Attorney General James Uthmeier
    • Official Photo
  • About the Office
    • Departments
      • AG Opinions
      • Antitrust
      • Civil Legal Services
      • Civil Litigation
      • Consumer Protection
      • Criminal Appeals
      • Litigation Services
      • Medicaid Fraud
      • Parental Rights
      • Solicitor General
      • Statewide Prosecution
    • Programs
      • Back the Blue
      • Be a Florida Hero
      • Consumer Alerts
      • Criminal Justice Programs
      • Military and Veterans Assistance Program
      • Seniors vs. Crime
      • Cold Case Investigations Unit
    • Services
      • Civil Rights
      • Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness
      • Identity Theft
      • Lemon Law
      • Office of Inspector General
      • Open Government
      • Victims Services
  • Contact Us
    • Addresses & Phone Numbers
    • File A Complaint
    • General Inquiries
    • Media Contact
Logo
  • Home
  • Meet the Attorney General
    • Attorney General James Uthmeier
    • Official Photo
  • About the Office
    • Departments
      • AG Opinions
      • Antitrust
      • Civil Legal Services
      • Civil Litigation
      • Consumer Protection
      • Criminal Appeals
      • Litigation Services
      • Medicaid Fraud
      • Parental Rights
      • Solicitor General
      • Statewide Prosecution
    • Programs
      • Back the Blue
      • Be a Florida Hero
      • Consumer Alerts
      • Criminal Justice Programs
      • Military and Veterans Assistance Program
      • Seniors vs. Crime
      • Cold Case Investigations Unit
    • Services
      • Civil Rights
      • Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness
      • Identity Theft
      • Lemon Law
      • Office of Inspector General
      • Open Government
      • Victims Services
  • Contact Us
    • Addresses & Phone Numbers
    • File A Complaint
    • General Inquiries
    • Media Contact

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. News Releases
  3. Consumer Alert Tips Avoid Utility Scam Phone Calls

CONSUMER ALERT: Tips to Avoid Utility Scam Phone Calls

View PDF
Release Date
Apr 22, 2019
Contact
Kylie Mason
Phone
850-245-0150

Consumer Alert


TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody is issuing a Consumer Alert regarding utility scam calls. Utility scams occur when an imposter claims to be a utility company representative and threatens to shut off power, gas or water unless payment is made immediately. The scammers tell consumers the only way to keep services from being turned off is to immediately pay the amount owed on an overdue bill—often through wire transfer or a money card.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “These deceitful utility scammers can sound persuasive on the phone and will use scare tactics to trick consumers into making false payments. Consumers should be suspicious of any unsolicited phone call demanding money and report any suspicious activity to our office.”

Utility scammers target individuals and businesses. While individuals seek to avoid the discomfort and inconvenience of disrupted utility services, businesses often cannot afford utilities to be abruptly disrupted; interfering with the ability to serve consumers.

To avoid utility scams, consider the following tips:

· Just hang up. Then call the utility provider at the phone number listed on a billing statement to confirm the authenticity of the call, inquire about the status of the account and report the fraudulent communication;

· Do not trust the number listed on caller ID. A process known as spoofing allows scammers to change the information displayed on caller ID to give the appearance that the call is coming from a utility provider;

· Never provide personal or financial information over the phone; and

· Be wary of anyone demanding immediate payment via wire transfer, prepaid debit or gift cards.

Utility companies will not force consumers to pay over the phone as the only option and do not demand one specific type of payment. If a caller demands credit card information or payment by wire, gift card, Green Dot, MoneyPak or reloadable card, then the call is a scammer. Consumers behind on payments can contact the utility provider directly to see if the provider has any hardship programs or payment plan options to keep services running.
Consumers who believe to be a victim of a utility scam can report the incident to the Florida Attorney General’s Office by filing a complaint online at MyFloridaLegal.com or by calling 1(866) 9NO-SCAM.

# # #

The Florida Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division issues Consumer Alerts to inform Floridians of emerging scams, new methods used to commit fraud, increased reports of common scams, or any other deceptive practice. Consumer Alerts are designed to notify Floridians about scams and available refunds in an effort to prevent financial losses or other harm caused by deceptive practices. Anyone encountering a scam should report the incident to the Florida Attorney General's Office by calling 1(866) 9NO-SCAM or visiting MyFloridaLegal.com.

Resources

  • AG Opinions
  • Annual Regulatory Plan
  • Consumer Protection
  • Doing Business with the Office
  • FAQ
  • Florida Digital Bill of Rights Annual Enforcement Report
  • Opioid Settlements
  • Statement of Agency Organization and Operation

Quick Links

  • Consumer Alerts
  • Military and Veterans Assistance Program
  • Open Government
  • Dose of Reality Florida
  • Request for Proposal for Professional Legal Services – PFAS
  • Request for Proposal for Professional Legal Services – Polychlorinated biphenyls
  • Request for Proposal for Professional Legal Services – Insulin
  • Crime Prevention Summit

 

  • Employment
  • File a Complaint
  • Human Trafficking Summit
  • Victim Services
  • Dozier Claims
  • Nicotine Dispensing Device Directory
Logo

Office of the Attorney General
State of Florida
PL-01, The Capitol
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050

Privacy Policy | © 2025 State of Florida. All rights reserved.