Nationwide Scam Morrow County Residents Need to Be Aware Of

According to  First Energy, there is a nationwide scam they want customers to be aware of.

Details About the Scam

• Scammers (A.k.a. criminals) contact electric company customers either by coming to your door, posing as electric company personnel, posting flyers in your community, or via a phone call, email, or text message.
• The poser tells you about a federal program created by Barack Obama to pay your utility bills and that you might be (or are) eligible.
• The scammer then collects your personal information, ranging from your social security number to your banking information.
• The thieves then provide you with a routing number and account number that you are supposed to use to pay your utility bills. THIS NUMBER IS FAKE. (Sorry for yelling.)

What to Do if You Encounter One of These Scammers

• If anyone shows up at your house claiming to be from the power company, do not let them in your house without checking for proper identification.
• The power company does not send workers out to have friendly, information sharing session, so if you receive an unexpected visit from someone claiming to be from the power company, do not let them in your house.
• Use only methods authorized by your energy company for bill payment.
• Report the visit/encounter to your power company

What to Do if You Already Gave Someone Your Information

• Don't waste time feeling embarassed that you got scammed. Barack Obama is kind of known for creating programs that help people who are struggling so it is a believable story, and these scammers take advantage of that. These people are professional thieves. they make an art of looking sincere and convincing.
• Report what happened.
• Call your utility company and tell them about the visit. They will be able to confirm or deny the person's connection with their company.
• Ask the utility  ompany how the investigation will be handled. Don't accept a brush off answer. If these thieves have your personal information, or worse yet have been inside your home, you have the right to know how the investigation will be handled.
• If there are no real plans on the part of the power company to investigate, especially if you have received a home visit from these people, go over the power company's head and report it to the sheriff or local police. (Law enforcement needs to know when criminals are going from door to door in the communities they protect.)
• Find out from an attorney what you need to do to regain/protect your stolen identity/information. (If you cannot afford an attorney, check for free legal aid to help you.