Thousands fall victim to utility payment scam
by Scott Bauer
Associated Press
July 12, 2012
Taneisha Morris, 33, of Detroit, who was scammed on paying a utility and satellite television invoice is shown in Detroit, Thursday, July 12, 2012. A national scam touting a new federal program from President Barack Obama is taking advantage of electric utility customers in several states. The scammers are telling utility customers that President Obama or the federal government will provide credits of up to $1,000 to help offset utility costs. Around the country, the scam has also been spread through text messages, social media and fliers. The scam artists are asking for customers to provide credit card and Social Security numbers. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – As much as President Barack Obama wants your vote, he’s not actually offering to pay your monthly bills.
But thousands of Americans have been persuaded otherwise, falling victim to a fast-moving scam that claims to be part of an Obama administration program to help pay utility bills in the midst of a scorching summer.
The scheme spread quickly across the nation in recent weeks with help from victims who unwittingly shared it on social media sites before realizing they had been conned out of personal information such as Social Security, credit card and checking account numbers. Continue reading “Utility Payment Scam Driven by Social Media”