National Fuel Warns of National Scam
National Fuel is warning customers of a national scam that promises a new program that would pay utility bills for customers. The scammers use a variety of methods to contact customers including phone calls, emails and even door-to-door visits as they attempt to obtain personal information.
Scammers tell customers they can register for the utility bill payment program by completing information, their social security numbers. The scammers then provide customers with bank routing and account numbers to use when paying their utility bills by computer or phone. This type of payment request isn't automatically rejected by utilities, making it appear that the utility accepted payment. But after a few days the fraudulent routing and account numbers are discovered and any payments are removed from the customers’ accounts.
National Fuel wants to remind customers that its employees carry company identification at all times. Customers should never give out personal information, including social security numbers and banking information, unless they know for sure who they are dealing with.
The danger to customers is twofold. Divulging personal information, including social security numbers, could lead to identity theft and a host of problems as the scammers open fraudulent bank or credit card accounts using the information. In addition, customers' utility bills could go unpaid, leading to late charges and potential disruption of utility service.
Customers are urged to alert police if they're approached about the scam.
National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation is the Utility segment of National Fuel Gas Company, a diversified energy holding company that is engaged in a number of natural gas-related activities. The Utility provides natural gas service to approximately 216,000 customers in 13 counties throughout northwestern Pennsylvania. Additional information about National Fuel and its customer services is available at www.nationalfuelgas.com or by calling 1-800-365-3234.
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since 1947
Scammers tell customers they can register for the utility bill payment program by completing information, their social security numbers. The scammers then provide customers with bank routing and account numbers to use when paying their utility bills by computer or phone. This type of payment request isn't automatically rejected by utilities, making it appear that the utility accepted payment. But after a few days the fraudulent routing and account numbers are discovered and any payments are removed from the customers’ accounts.
National Fuel wants to remind customers that its employees carry company identification at all times. Customers should never give out personal information, including social security numbers and banking information, unless they know for sure who they are dealing with.
The danger to customers is twofold. Divulging personal information, including social security numbers, could lead to identity theft and a host of problems as the scammers open fraudulent bank or credit card accounts using the information. In addition, customers' utility bills could go unpaid, leading to late charges and potential disruption of utility service.
Customers are urged to alert police if they're approached about the scam.
National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation is the Utility segment of National Fuel Gas Company, a diversified energy holding company that is engaged in a number of natural gas-related activities. The Utility provides natural gas service to approximately 216,000 customers in 13 counties throughout northwestern Pennsylvania. Additional information about National Fuel and its customer services is available at www.nationalfuelgas.com or by calling 1-800-365-3234.
The news leader of the Twin Tiers ...since 1947
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