The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission wants consumers to be able to identify warning signs– or “red flags”– from unknown callers.
In the past, the most vulnerable groups to scammers were usually older and thought to be less tech-savvy. While these groups are still vulnerable, the PUC says development of new, more sophisticated scams have changed the risk outlook in recent years. According to the Federal Trade Commission, in 2019, people in their 20s and 30s were 25% more likely to report losing money to fraud than those 40 or older.
PUC Chairman Gary Hanson says scammers posing as utility company personnel typically threaten service disconnection or a financial penalty hoping to make the target panic and react in haste. He says that’s why the PUC tells South Dakotans to identify threatening language and an urgent need for action as warning signs. The way a payment is requested can be another red flag. He says no legitimate utility company will insist on immediate payment specifically through pre-paid debit cards or other untraceable methods.
Vice Chairman Chris Nelson says learning to identify signs of fraud and reacting appropriately are the first two steps to ensuring you and your loved ones don’t fall victim to scammers. He says if you receive a suspicious phone call, hang up and contact your utility company directly using the phone number found on your utility bill. Scammers may also pose as tech support, customer service claiming you’ve overpaid your utility bill or contacting you through text or SMS messages you didn’t sign up for.
Commissioner Kristie Fiegen says telephone scammers are criminals who are, unfortunately, difficult to catch. She says when it comes to avoiding scams, knowledge is power. Educating yourself about scam calls happening in your area, identifying resources available to you and understanding how you should respond to a call if you receive one are great steps to take now.
Find more information about avoiding telephone scams on the PUC’s website at www.puc.sd.gov/scamcalls.
Report suspicious calls to the Better Business Bureau:
- Website: BBB.org/ScamTracker
- BBB SD hotline: 1-800-649-6814
- Email: info@bbbinc.org
Also report suspicious calls to the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office Consumer Protection Division:
- Consumer Protection Hotline: 1-800-300-1986
- Email: consumerhelp@state.sd.us
Comments