The Ocala Electric Utility is trying to spread awareness to residents to be on the lookout for utility payment scams.
The organization shared some tips through social media to help residents stay protected from utility payment scams.
According to the United States Federal Trade Commission, the most common utility payment scam is a robocall that tells residents that they have paid too much for their utility bill. To make up for the alleged mistake, the scammers/robocallers say the resident will get a cash refund and a discount on future bills.
“Ocala Electric Utility will never call its customers demanding payment using any prepaid cards or debit cards” reads a social media post from OEU.
The post explains that residents should be “suspicious of callers who demand immediate payment for any reason” or ask for “personal or financial information.”
“Never wire money, provide debit or credit card information to someone you don’t know, or meet with a stranger in person to make a payment,” reads the post.
OEU says that if residents believe they have been scammed, they should call 352-629-2489 to report issues.
If you believe you have received a utility payment scam call, report it through the Federal Trade Commission complaint form.