NES Warns Customers of Utility Payment Scam

Nashville, Tenn. – Nashville Electric Service (NES) is warning customers to be vigilant about protecting their personal information. NES has learned of a multi-state scam targeting utility customers. Scammers are asking customers for personal information, such as Social Security numbers. The scammer then provides the victims with a fraudulent bank routing number with which to pay their utility bill. Customers are told that President Obama has approved special funding through the Federal Reserve Bank for utility bill assistance, but there is no such funding. Victims have been reported in California, Illinois, Tennessee, Texas and Florida. Although we are not aware of any NES customers who have been contacted by this scam, we want to make our customers aware of potential issues so they can protect themselves from becoming victims of identity theft and fraudulent activities, said Teresa Corlew, NES VP & Chief Customer Care Officer. Scam victims include customers of Gainesville Regional Utilities and Fort Pierce Utilities Authority in Florida, as well as Memphis Light, Gas and Water. Memphis reported that approximately 1,000 customers were targeted. NES employees always carry proper identification and never contact customers requesting personal information such as bank accounts or social security numbers. Also, field employees do not accept payments. If customers are still in doubt, call NES Customer Relations at (615) 736-6900. Nashville Electric Service is one of the 12 largest public electric utilities in the nation, distributing energy to more than 360,000 customers in Middle Tennessee. For more information about NES, visit www.nespower.com.