I almost got taken. Scammers have gotten clever. My phone rang and the caller ID showed Center Point Energy, my local natural gas provider. When I answered there was a recorded message that said my service was going to be interrupted in 30-45 minutes and to press 1 to pay my bill. My alarm went off with the "30-45 minutes", but The called ID was correct and the number that displayed was for Centerpoint Energy.
I pressed one and got "the Disconnection department" (clue #2). Ole ]boy started his rant and I shut him down with "I paid my bill 3 weeks ago, everything you're telling me screams scammer". He was very convincing. "I understand sir. I don't have to agree with our policies but I have a job to do. Surely you understand". He asked me to verify my service address and what not, like is usual. Then started asking me about my meter, and saying my smart meter has a required upgrade and that I should have gotten a notice to go by the service center to pay a deposit for the upgrade. At that point I began to talk over him and might have gotten a bit irate. Again telling him I would call the customer service line because there was zero chance I was paying a deposit.
He was still telling me I had used 16 of the 30 minutes and hoped I could get a rep on the line and get it resolved before the service interruption when I hung up. I called the customer service number from the website (the 2nd number listed was the same as the one that called me). The rep assured me that my account was in good standing. I told her the story and that she should report it. She saidShe's heard that story before.
They're getting pretty clever. All of me was saying "scammer", but he would have gotten my Mom. For sure they get people to pay. I tell all of this because not everyone is a thorough skeptic. The world is filled with people who work very hard not to work. Be careful!
I pressed one and got "the Disconnection department" (clue #2). Ole ]boy started his rant and I shut him down with "I paid my bill 3 weeks ago, everything you're telling me screams scammer". He was very convincing. "I understand sir. I don't have to agree with our policies but I have a job to do. Surely you understand". He asked me to verify my service address and what not, like is usual. Then started asking me about my meter, and saying my smart meter has a required upgrade and that I should have gotten a notice to go by the service center to pay a deposit for the upgrade. At that point I began to talk over him and might have gotten a bit irate. Again telling him I would call the customer service line because there was zero chance I was paying a deposit.
He was still telling me I had used 16 of the 30 minutes and hoped I could get a rep on the line and get it resolved before the service interruption when I hung up. I called the customer service number from the website (the 2nd number listed was the same as the one that called me). The rep assured me that my account was in good standing. I told her the story and that she should report it. She saidShe's heard that story before.
They're getting pretty clever. All of me was saying "scammer", but he would have gotten my Mom. For sure they get people to pay. I tell all of this because not everyone is a thorough skeptic. The world is filled with people who work very hard not to work. Be careful!
