WASHINGTON — A local power company is warning its customers about calls that appear to be from its call center.
It’s part of a sophisticated scam targeting Dominion customers.
They use the caller ID to throw consumers, “on your phone will be Dominion,” says Chuck Penn of Dominion.
If a call is missed, Penn says a working 866 number will be left. When calling that number back, customers are greeted by phone prompts, similar to those used by the power company.
Once a live person is on the line, callers are told that their bill needs to be paid immediately or their power will be disconnected.
In an attempt to prevent red flags, Penn said scammers will offer you an option of paying at a legitimate Dominion Virginia Power location. But that offer will come with time constraints that are impossible to meet.
Then, customers are offered the ability to purchase cash cards from convenience stores. There are instructions to call them back with the information found on the cards.
Penn says at least 85 people have received the calls in recent weeks. Eight people have been scammed out of their cash.
The company wants you to be suspicious of any call which appears to be from them.
“Dominion will never threaten disconnection in exchange for an immediate payment,” Penn said.
He says if someone receives a call which doesn’t seem legitimate, hang up and call police or Dominion at 1-866-DOM-HELP.
