Many of us have heard of a scam where the caller poses as an official to try to get you to give them money. It’s not new, but it’s also not over. Benton Utilities has been contacted by customers about scam calls they received recently. They say they have been the caller tells them their utilities will be cut off immediately if they don’t send money electronically. The phone number they are calling from is not legitimate nor are they. Neither the City of Benton nor Benton Utilities are associated with these callers.
While most of the calls reported to Benton Utilities have been to business customers, it can happen to anyone. Although most people who answer the scam call will be savvy and hang up, it only takes one person to fall for it in order for them to be successful.
If you receive a call like this, Benton Utilities recommends to contact the utility company’s phone number listed on the bill with any questions regarding account issues. Benton Utilities Billing Department does not contact their customers via phone to inform them they are past due. They send a past due notice in the mail before disconnecting service for non-payment. They also do not call our customers to request payment. They send service personnel to the location to disconnect or collect. Do not give account information or payment information to someone that contacts you via phone.
If you receive one of these calls, you may also call law enforcement, as well as the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office Consumer Protection Division at (501) 682-2341 or (800) 482-8982 or visit www.arkansasag.gov.
Any customer who receives one of these calls, can contact the Benton Utilities office at 501-776-5923 to confirm their account status.