Chapel Hill Police Sergeant Bryan Walker says local businesses have been the target of a recent phone scam.

“Businesses are receiving a telephone call from someone that purports to be from Duke Energy. The way the scam works, the person calls the business and tells whomever answers the phone that they’re late on payment and unless they immediately make a payment, the power will be turned off.”

The scammers threaten to cut off electricity within the hour and demand the victims purchase a pre-paid money card to transfer payment.

Walker says this makes the transaction hard to track once the victim realizes it’s a scam.

The high pressure tactics have proven successful, and they’ve cost some victims hundreds of dollars. In at least one case, the scammers accepted a fraudulent payment, then turned around and asked for more.

“Once the person paid $400, they were immediately told, ‘Well, we didn’t tell you about these other fees, you owe us another $300.’ So if they get one amount of money out of you, they may try to get more immediately.”

Recently, a business owner on Elliot Road got one of these types of calls. She listened to the scammer’s pitch, but hung up and called Duke Energy for confirmation. Walker says if you have doubts, it’s important to hang up and call the utility directly to make sure you’re talking to a real Duke Energy representative.

“The scammers have gotten to the point where they’re a little more sophisticated and if you ask, ‘May I call you back?’, they may say, ‘Absolutely, here’s the number,’ and give you a number that allows them to be ready for your call.”

According to Duke Energy’s website, customers who are behind on payment will receive multiple notices of delinquency over the course of several weeks, never just a single phone call. The power company has set up a webpage describing some of the recent phone scams and offering tips to thwart them.

If you have received any suspicious phone calls, you should alert local police and Duke Energy.

 

Related Stories
‹
Downed Tree Causes Power Outages, Forces Closure of Country Club Road in Chapel Hill
UPDATE: As of 7:30 p.m., Duke Energy says power has been restored along Raleigh Road and in the surrounding areas of UNC campus. Country Club Road on the UNC campus in Chapel Hill is closed due to a downed tree on a power line, according to the Chapel Hill Police. #CHtraffic Alert: Country Club Rd […]
Fallen Tree Along Franklin Street Knocks Out Chapel Hill Power
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to reflect power being restored for those customers affected on Monday. Nearly 2,000 Duke Energy customers experienced a power outage in Chapel Hill Monday morning due to a fallen tree on a power line. A message from the Chapel Hill Police Department alerted the community to the fallen […]
Local Residents Report Scam Callers Impersonating Orange County Sheriff's Deputies
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about recent fraudulent calls made to residents where callers are impersonating law enforcement officers. In its Community Watch Daily Report, the sheriff’s office said it recently received multiple calls from Hillsborough residents claiming they spoke with a “Deputy Mark” or “Officer Davis” with Orange County. These individuals […]
Phone Scams Target County Residents
A flurry of phone scams has targeted Orange County residents in the last several months, according to Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood. Blackwood says the most recent victim lost more than $2000. “She received a call claiming that she had missed her jury notice and that she needed to pay a certain amount of money […]
Driver Who Caused Blackout Was Almost Home
The driver who knocked out two power poles causing power outages for 350 Orange County residents was less than half a mile from his home, according to Chapel Hill Police.
AM Accident KOs Telephone Pole, Hundreds Lose Power
A vehicle collided with a telephone pole near Rams Plaza at 4 AM Sunday, causing a widespread power outage.
North Carolina Lawmakers Finalize Bill That Would Scrap 2030 Carbon Reduction Goal
North Carolina legislators finalized a bill Thursday that would eliminate an interim greenhouse gas reduction mandate set in a landmark 2021 law.
Chapel Hill Apartment Complex Filing Complaint Against Duke Energy
EMPOWERment is filing a complaint against Duke Energy, alleging it is refusing to provide service to the P.E.A.C.H. apartments.
Update: 2 Arrested After Gunfire at North Roberson Street
The Chapel Hill Police Department is investigating reports of shots fired at the edge of the Northside neighborhood early Wednesday morning.
Rare Greenhouse Gas Law in North Carolina Could Get Pulled Back by GOP Legislators
North Carolina enacted an energy law in 2021 that directed power plant emissions be sharply reduced. Now it's aiming to repeal a key element.
›