Chattanooga Gas marks Utility Scam Awareness Day

Offers tips to protect customers from utility fraud

CHATTANOOGA – November 15, 2022 - The safety of our customers is top priority for Chattanooga Gas, and that includes protecting your personal information. Utility scams, often referred to as imposter scams, cost American consumers $2.3 billion in 2021**. It is more important than ever for customers to be vigilant and know what steps to take to prevent themselves or their families from falling victim.

Chattanooga Gas is joining 150 U.S. and Canadian energy companies marking November 16, 2022, as Utility Scam Awareness Day. The purpose is to raise awareness of and help educate customers on the tactics used by scammers. Many natural gas, electric and water customers throughout the country are being targeted by impostor utility scams each day.

“The first step in protecting our customers from a scam is making them aware of the common tactics that scammers use,” said Pedro Cherry, Chattanooga Gas president and CEO. “We’re partnering with energy companies across the country to educate our communities about this important issue.”

In recent years, scammers have gotten deceptively creative with increased calls, texts, emails and in-person tactics, contacting electric and gas customers asking for immediate payment to avoid service disconnection.

Chattanooga Gas strongly encourages customers to stay vigilant of potential scam activity such as:

• Threats to disconnect their natural gas service if payment is not made
• Requests that payments be made from a single method, such as a debit card, prepaid card, checking account, cryptocurrency or to send funds via a mobile app to make a bill payment
• Claims they have overpaid, and their bank account or credit card number is needed for a refund
• Requests to vacate their home so that a meter or other natural gas equipment can be replaced
• Suggestions through social media that their bill will be covered by a charity after they make a partial payment by way of a wire transfer

Chattanooga Gas also takes proactive measures to protect customers.

• Chattanooga Gas employees and contractors who visit customer homes or businesses will have Chattanooga Gas identification.
• Customers have the option of signing up to receive the company’s Keep Me Informed appointment status text messages can access a photo of the technician assigned to perform work at their property.

Customers who suspect or experience fraud should hang up, delete the email or shut the door, then immediately contact local authorities.

For more information visit, www.chattanoogagas.com/fraudprotection

**Source: Federal Trade Commission