Be Wary of Anyone Demanding Immediate 付款 through a Mobile App or Cryptocurrency
坦帕电 cautions customers that “spoofing” scams have spiked in recent days, including demands for electronic payments through cash or bank applications on smart phones.
Scam attempts have significantly increased since the pandemic started. In fact, in 2021, twice as many customers heard from scammers than during the previous year. 今年到目前为止, scammers are keeping a similar pace, 近2,000 customers hearing from scammers already, and about 40 of them losing nearly $40,000.
Scammers know that when someone’s distracted, they’re more likely to fall victim to their scam. That’s why scam activity increases around holidays, during busy times and in times of crisis. Scammers are also prone to target customers who speak 英语 as a second language.
The basic premise of the scam is:
- Someone falsely claiming to be a 坦帕电 representative contacts a customer, claims the account is past due and demands immediate payment.
- 通常, the scammer calls a customer from a phone number that falsely appears to be TECO, 被称为“欺骗,” which makes it more convincing. The call may be from a person or an automated voice.
- Increasingly, the scammer instructs the customer to download and use a payment app. Sometimes they instruct customers to purchase a prepaid debit card from a local drug store.
- Scammers have even requested payment through cryptocurrency.
- In some cases, customers have paid the scammers thousands of dollars.
How can you discern between a scammer and a credible 坦帕电 call?
- 坦帕电 does not accept payments through mobile payment apps 或cryptocurrency.
- 坦帕电 never demands payment in person or calls to ask for credit card or debit card numbers.
- Know the status of your account. You can view your account through 坦帕电’s secure online portal, tecoaccount.com, or by calling the phone number listed on your bill or on our website.
- TECO will always validate your account with you. For residential customers, this is typically the last four digits of your Social Security number.
坦帕电 urges customers to be wary of anyone claiming to be from the utility, either in person or over the phone. Various versions of this scam have affected 坦帕电 – and utilities across the country – for a decade.
All 坦帕电 employees are required to carry photo identification cards. If someone claiming to be a 坦帕电 representative visits your home or business, request to see an ID badge or call the company to verify their identity. If an imposter shows up in person pretending to be from 坦帕电, immediately report it to your local law enforcement agency.
If you are uncertain about an individual's association with 坦帕电 – or about your bill – you can view your account through 坦帕电’s secure online portal, tecoaccount.com, or contact the company for verification:
- In Hillsborough County, call 813-223-0800
- 在波尔克县，打电话 863-299-0800
- 在所有其他地区，打电话 1-888-223-0800
坦帕电 is a member of the Utilities United Against Scams (UUAS) collaborative. The group consists of more than 150 gas, electric and water utility companies across the country and Canada. Members of the organization work across the utility industry and with regulators, law enforcement and telecommunications partners to help stop scams targeting utility customers.
坦帕电, one of Florida’s largest investor-owned electric utilities, 约800人,000 customers in West Central Florida. 坦帕电 is a subsidiary of Emera Inc., a geographically diverse energy and services company headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
