Dominion customers should be aware of and never respond to threatening utility scams

It’s the holiday season and everyone is thinking about gifts. So are scammers. So watch out and be prepared.

According to Dominion Virginia Power, in 2015, scammers contacted nearly 2,800 Dominion Virginia Power customers, demanding fraudulent payments totaling more than $1.2 million.  Hundreds of the power company’s customers fell victim, paying nearly $200,000 in response to threats of immediate disconnection of electric service.

Marc Gaudette, director of Corporate Security, Safety & Health for Dominion, says customers should recognize the “red flags,“while Dominion “is working in concert with law enforcement to identify, track and stop these scams.”

He went on to say that “scammers frequently target the elderly, non-English-speaking communities and businesses during their busy times and use caller ID spoofing software so a customer thinks Dominion is calling.”

“There are two clear signs that there’s a scammer on the other end of that phone call that you can easily spot,” according to Becky Merritt, vice president, Customer Service.

She says Dominion staff never threatens a customer, even if his or her account is past due.

Also, according to Merritt,  the power company “would never insist on one specific, immediate form of payment—there are a number of options available to customers. They can pay in person at a verified payment location, Customers can also “make a secure payment through their online account” or use Dominion’s “third-party payment processing vendor.”

Customers are reminded to do the following:

• Ask questions and verify what you are hearing by checking your online account or hanging up and then call Dominion at 866-DOM-HELP. If an account is overdue, we provide multiple communications in writing and offers a payment plan before disconnection occurs.

• Remember Dmnion does not require payment over the phone and never demand immediate payment of cash, PayPal, any prepaid debit card such as ‘MoneyPak/Green Dot’, or any gift card to avoid disconnection. Payment by phone is available through BillMatrix at 1-800-573-1147. (Note: customers will never be contacted directly by BillMatrix requiring payment.)

• Collect information from the scammer including the caller’s name, any phone numbers or other details before hanging up and reporting to local law enforcement.

For other tips about how to avoid scams, go to http://www.dom.com/scams.