PANAMA CITY — Officials issued a scam alert Wednesday to remind the community about the prevalence of telephone scams involving utility companies.
The Bay County Sheriff’s Office announced several complaints have been received recently about a caller claiming to represent Gulf Power Company and demanding immediate payment of a delinquent bill, BCSO said. The victim is intimidated into paying when the caller threatens to have the power cut off within 30 minutes.
Victims are usually given two options for payment: a credit card or the use of Green Dot cash cards.
If contacted by telephone by anyone claiming to represent a utility company or a governmental agency like the IRS, ask for a contact number and hang up, BCSO advised. Always contact the agency or company to verify any request for payment.
