South
Carolina Electric & Gas is urging business and residential customers to be
aware of scam artists posing as SCE&G employees.
A
number of customers have reported instances of individuals portraying
themselves as SCE&G employees over the phone. In several instances, the
individuals are requesting that customers purchase a payment card from a local
convenience or drug store and then call back with the card's information for
immediate bill payment.
Important
tips to keep in mind:
- When
SCE&G employees call concerning an unpaid bill, they identify
themselves. If customers are unsure of the caller's identity, that
identity can be verified by calling Customer Service at 1-800-251-7234.
- SCE&G
does not ask customers to purchase payment cards from local convenience or drug
stores for bill payment purposes. Bill payments are accepted at SCE&G
business offices, by mail, authorized payment agencies, online or through
SCE&G's phone payment provider, BillMatrix, by calling 1-800-450-9160.
- SCE&G
typically notifies customers by phone or in writing before an employee is
scheduled to arrive at their home to perform any type of work inside the home.
- SCE&G
field employees are identified by their blue SCE&G uniforms, a white
company ID badge with a photo and marked SCE&G truck.
- If
someone arrives unannounced or does not have company identification and
introduces themselves as an SCE&G employee, the company recommends calling
Customer Service at 1-800-251-7234 for verification or dialing 911 if they feel
threatened.
- Keep
your family and your personal information safe. Do not give in to high pressure
tactics over the phone for financial information or in person to gain access
into your home.
"We
encourage our customers to call us if they have any concerns about their
accounts," said Molly Morris, general manager of customer service for
SCE&G.
If
someone believes they have been a victim of this scam, Morris recommends
calling SCE&G's customer service department at 1-800-251-7234.