National Consumer Protection Week: FPL’s Tips to Avoid Utility Scams
As scammers continue targeting utility customers, Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) stands at the forefront of consumer protection, providing essential tips to help customers avoid scams during National Consumer Protection Week, which runs from March 3-9.
In an exclusive interview with FPL Spokesperson Bianca Soriano, we discuss the emerging trends in utility scams, the vital steps customers should take to protect themselves, and the proactive measures FPL is taking to safeguard its customers.
Emerging Scam Trends and Tactics
To deceive people, scammers are employing advanced tactics across various industries, including utilities, airlines, and banking. According to Bianca Soriano, scammers have recently started exploiting internet search results, such as Google search, to display fake websites with misleading phone numbers.
This deceptive tactic leads unsuspecting victims to believe they are contacting a legitimate business when, in reality, it’s a scam. Victims end up engaging with agents who impersonate a company and attempt to extract sensitive information, including account and financial details.
Protecting Yourself from Utility Scams
FPL advises customers to take crucial actions to protect themselves from falling for utility scams. These include:
• Recognizing suspicious activity.
• Avoid online searches for phone numbers instead of calling the number on their bill.
• Scammers can manipulate the displayed name to appear as FPL if they do not trust the caller ID.
• Hanging up on suspicious callers demanding immediate payment and threatening disconnection.
• Deleting suspicious texts or emails asking for payment or personal information.
• Calling the police if a visitor without FPL identification tries to collect payment or aggressively sells products.
FPL’s Proactive Approach to Customer Safety
FPL is actively working to inform and educate customers about potential scams and to keep them safe. The company has established robust processes and systems to ensure its customers’ information security.
Furthermore, FPL is committed to safeguarding the confidentiality and security of all private information and urges customers to stay informed on the latest scams by visiting FPL/protect, where the latest information and resources are regularly updated.
Reporting Suspected Scams and Collaboration with Authorities
Customers are encouraged to report any suspected scams to FPL and local law enforcement and file complaints with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Florida’s state consumer protection agency in case of phone or digital scams. FPL cooperates fully with local and state law enforcement agencies to investigate reported scams, identify fraud trends, and potentially lead to investigations and arrests.
Additionally, as a member of Utilities Against Scams, FPL collaborates to educate and raise awareness across the industry, ultimately preventing scams.
Verifying Legitimacy of Communications
In instances of uncertainty about the legitimacy of communication or requests from FPL, customers are advised to call the number on their bill to verify any correspondence. It’s essential to remember that FPL will never make threatening calls, texts, or emails demanding immediate payment by pre-paid card or wire transfer, nor will they ask for personal information over the phone unless initiated by the customer.
To wrap up, as FPL continues to prioritize the safety and security of its customers, these insightful tips serve as a shield against the tactics employed by scammers. Customers can navigate National Consumer Protection Week and beyond with confidence and peace of mind by staying informed, recognizing suspicious activities, and following the recommended precautions.
Stay tuned for valuable insights from FPL Spokesperson Bianca Soriano on consumer protection and safety.
To learn more about scam techniques, visit fpl.com/protect.
