Utility Scammers, Cheap Gas, Sept. 11 Anniversary

Utility scams are on the rise and Florida’s utility customers are the main targets. A recent scam involves individuals who impersonate utility company employees in order to obtain credit card or prepaid debit card information. The scammers call customers asking for credit card or prepaid debit card information, threatening to shut off the utility service if the information is not given. The scammers then use this information to make fraudulent purchases. Some of the scams even involve using caller ID spoofing, making it appear that the call originates from a utility company. 

Protect yourself from this scam by:

• Not giving credit card or prepaid debit card information over the phone
• Know that utility companies never ask for or require a prepaid debit card for bill payments and never call a customer asking personal information or credit card numbers. 
• In the field, utility company employees carry picture identification badges and never ask a customer for money.
• Hang up the phone when such a request is made and then call the utility company at a number you are familiar with or through its website.

Make sure to report possible scams to the appropriate utility company or police:

Duke Energy Florida: 1-800-700-8744

Clearwater utility customers: 727-562-4600

Clearwater Police Fraud Hotline: 727-562-4424

A somber anniversary

The 12th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks is Wednesday. How are you marking the day? Tell us by commenting below.

Feeling Stressed?

Tampa Bay recently earned the dishonor of being named the most stressful place in America to live. Check out this Clearwater Patch story for more details and tell us if you agree by commenting below!

Can’t Stand the Heat?

Ready for summer to make its exit and for temperatures to cool down in the Tampa Bay area? It doesn’t look like that’s going to happen any time soon. Forecasters are calling for another week of highs in the 90s. Monday, in fact, might see temperatures rise into the mid-90s range, according to the National Weather Service.