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The mercury is dropping around the country, but scammers are turning up the heat with a tried-and-true cold weather scam: the Shutoff Swindle.
Bad guys pose as utility workers and threaten to shut off your service claiming unpaid bills. Their goal: To get your personally identifiable information to commit identity theft. They’ll encourage you to settle the invoice by providing account details — name, address, the last four digits of your Social Security number — and a credit card number.
Don’t fall for it. This Shutoff Swindle has been going on for several years, and it tends to proliferate when the heat is on in winter and the air-conditioning’s running in summer. Your quest for comfort helps reinforce a need to immediately resolve supposed service problems. In recent weeks — as especially during the recent Polar Vortex — legitimate utility companies have issued warnings about an uptick in this scheme.
Take steps to protect yourself with these tips:
Finally, if you suspect you’ve become a victim of identity theft, don’t panic. Call one of your providers — an insurer, bank or credit union, or membership organization. They may already cover you for identity management services.
Image: iStock
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