Duke Energy Cautions Customers to be Alert of Persistent Scam
Don’t allow yourself to fall prey to a scam. And don’t be more vulnerable now just because of snow. Read the information below, which will help you avoid being taking advantage of. This information is confirmed by Duke Energy District Manager Tanya Evans.
Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce Statement:
The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce has been notified by some of our members of a scam involving persons falsely identifying themselves as Duke Energy representatives. A caller, claiming to be a Duke Energy service technician, tells the customer that a work order has been issued to immediately disconnect service. The caller states that a disruption of service can be avoided if an immediate payment is made. The scammer provides a telephone number for the customer to call to make the payment. The customer’s call is answered as Duke Energy by a very legitimately-sounding but fake IVR system. Duke Energy emphasizes that their customers are never contacted and asked to make a payment by telephone and provides the notice below to their customers. Please share this information with your friends, families, and business associates.
Duke Energy Statement:
Duke Energy customers in five states are continually being targeted by scam artists claiming to represent the company. Phone, doorstep and email scammers claiming to be a utility company are nothing new – it happens to all utility companies throughout the U.S. and Canada. However, complaints about this particular scam have really increased over the last several months.
Scammers are calling residents and impersonating utility company staff, claiming to be collecting on late bills. They may falsify their caller ID information to make it appear as though the call is coming from Duke Energy or provide a number to call which, when answered, appears to be a Duke Energy contact.
Because we do occasionally contact our customers by phone, it can be difficult to tell a scammer from a real Duke Energy employee. Here are some tips:
- If a caller specifically asks you to pay by prepaid debit card, this is a red flag. Prepaid debit cards are like cash and the transactions cannot be reversed.
- Remember, you do not have to sign anything or give personal information to anyone calling you on the phone, sending you an email or showing up at your door.
- If you feel pressured for immediate payment or personal information, hang up the phone and call us at the number on your utility bill. This will ensure you are speaking to a real Duke Energy representative.
The only way to protect yourself is to be vigilant, stay informed and guard your personal information. If you feel something’s not quite right about the situation, contact the police immediately and report the call if you feel it was an impostor.
For more information about avoiding utility scams, visit our web site at https://www.duke-energy.com/customer-service/report-fraud-and-scams
*The preceding content was sent to WIZS News via email from the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce.
Vance County Schools cancels all after school activities
All after school activities scheduled for today in Vance County Schools have been cancelled due to the forecast for inclement weather.
Thank you,
Terri Hedrick
Public Information Officer
Precip to start Sooner; Snowfall Estimates Higher
Precip to start Sooner; Snowfall Estimates Higher
Brian Short is the Director of Emergency Operations for Vance County and Henderson. He has attached here – click here – the latest weather synopsis from the NWS for the winter storm that is headed our way.
Short has been communicating regularly with emergency preparedness teams, local officials and local media over the last few days, and in his most recent email update, Short said, “Presently we are under a Winter Storm Warning. The timing of the event remains roughly the same, but as you can see our snowfall estimates have increased noticeably overnight.
“At this time we have no plans to open any shelters as we do not expect widespread power outages. Once the snow begins we are encouraging residents to stay off the roads. Snow accumulations are forecast to be heavy. Unnecessary travel during wintry conditions not only puts the driver at risk it also hampers road clearing efforts.
“We will be continuing to coordinate with local and State response agencies throughout the storm and will continue to forward along additional information as it is received.”
Additionally, if you are a member of a local emergency preparedness team or a local public official in need of anything further, you are reminded to contact Short directly.
Winter Storm Warning Issued; Vance Preparing
Winter Storm Warning Issued; Vance Preparing
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN RALEIGH HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WARNING…WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM FRIDAY TO 7 PM EST SATURDAY – click here for more
Brian Short, Director of Emergency Management for Vance County and Henderson, has provided the latest briefing from the NWS regarding the winter weather event that will be moving into the area tomorrow and into Saturday.
Click here for the latest National Weather Service briefing – 4:15 p.m., January 5, 2016
In his afternoon email to local preparedness groups and local media, Short said, “Our snowfall totals have increased a little throughout the day and there is certainly the potential for us to receive substantial snowfall by the time this event finally subsides late in the day on Saturday.
“We have spent the majority of the day today coordinating with our local and State response partners. If this event does not diminish or worsens by tomorrow, we will likely be implementing a local State of Emergency that would remain in place as long as needed.
“We have no plans to open shelters at this time. This is the posture that we typically take during winter weather events especially when the likelihood of widespread (power) outages is not expected.
“The 911 communications center will be overstaffed and will remain overstaffed as long as it is warranted. We remain poised to take further action if it should become necessary.
“We do ask that once the snow begins to fall, that everyone please stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary as travel will likely become hazardous. This will also allow our road crews to do their jobs and scrape the roads as effectively as they can.
“Additional information will be forwarded along as it is received.”
Significant Snow Forecast
Significant Snow Forecast
Brian Short is the Director of Emergency Operations for Vance County and Henderson. Short passed along the latest NWS briefing by email this morning to local emergency preparedness personnel and local media.
Click Here for the brief from 5 a.m. today, January 5, 2016.
Short said, “Attached is the latest from the NWS regarding a significant winter weather event that will be affecting our area of the state Friday night and into Saturday. As you can see, we are forecast to receive a significant accumulation of snow but thankfully no ice or freezing rain. However, snowfall of this magnitude certainly causes its own problems.
“We will be coordinating with our local and State response partners throughout the day today while continuing to monitor the system. Further updates will be released as they are received.”
As of this writing, WRAL-TV and it’s team of meteorologists have produced a story and accumulation graphic, and you can click the links to view their content.