FYI for those using Golden Valley Electric.
Alert - Scammers are Active
Yesterday, we received numerous calls from members providing details of calls they’ve received from scammers pretending to be GVEA. The scammers are telling members that their balance is due and requesting bank information. Remember, never give out payment information over the phone unless YOU make the call.
NOTE: If you have been a victim of a scam, please contact your local police department, and your bank/credit card company.
These calls all seem to have one thing in common: they threaten disconnect of power if payment is not made.
Historically, members have lost money when they’ve complied with scammers’ requests. Once bank or credit card information is turned over to scammers, there is little utilities can do to assist with the recovery of those funds, except recommend that the member file a police report or dispute the transaction with their bank or credit card company.
Be Aware of These Common Tricks Used by Scammers:
Scammers sometimes falsely offer members a discount if the balance owed on their account is promptly taken care of.
Most members contacted by scammers do not have a past due balance.
Scammers may imply they have a member’s account number and know the amount of their last bill.
Scammers demand prepaid cards, bank information or credit card numbers.
Scammers may provide a phone number, so members can allegedly call to confirm the authenticity of the call. Any phone number provided will go directly to the scammers.
Remember, if you did not initiate the contact – phone or email – DO NOT provide any personal information (credit card, Social Security numbers or banking information).
Additional Cautions for Our Members:
Should your account be subject to a possible disconnection, GVEA will notify you via the U.S. Postal Service, automated phone call or in some cases a door hanger well in advance of the possible disconnect.
If GVEA takes steps to follow up on the mailed notice, it would be an automated phone system, which asks that you contact our office during normal business hours.
Furthermore, members should only use methods authorized by GVEA to pay their electric bills, including stopping by one of our offices (Fairbanks or Delta Junction), utilizing our after-hours drop boxes or Bill Payment Kiosk (Healy, Nenana, Fairbanks and Delta Junction) or via one of our electronic payment options:
GVEA’s Mobile App (note: you will need to download the app from the Apple Store or Google Play and search for “Golden Valley Electric”; both your account number and meter number will be needed to create a log-in account).
GVEA’s Member Portal (note: if new to this system, an account may need to be created).
GVEA will never arbitrarily call and ask for payment information. However, you may be asked to provide the last four digits (not complete numbers) of your Social Security number or date of birth as a means to verify your identity.
If you have any questions regarding the validity of a call or email, please promptly contact GVEA. Our phone number is 907-452-1151 (or 1-800-770-4832 toll-free).
Original source can be found here.
