Duke Energy warns customers of scammers during Carolinas winter storm

Rhea-AI Summary

Duke Energy warns customers in North and South Carolina about scammers impersonating company representatives during an upcoming winter storm. These scammers threaten power cut-offs unless immediate payments are made. Duke Energy emphasizes it never demands immediate payment or personal information via phone calls. To protect customers, the company shares tips to identify scams, including ignoring robocalls and avoiding prepaid debit card payments. The company serves 7.9 million customers across several states and aims for significant carbon reduction by 2030.

Positive

• Duke Energy is committed to a clean energy strategy, targeting a 50% carbon reduction by 2030.
• The company is one of the top U.S. renewable energy providers, with plans for 16,000 megawatts of renewable capacity by 2025.

Negative

• Customers may be vulnerable to scams during stressful situations, such as winter storms.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy today warned customers in North Carolina and South Carolina of scammers who might call them – impersonating Duke Energy representatives and threatening to cut off customers' power before or during this weekend's winter storm unless customers make a payment for late bills or other charges.

Duke Energy never makes such calls to customers, never threatens to cut off customers' power immediately, never seeks immediate payment, and never calls customers to request personal information.

"Unfortunately, scammers are always looking for a new opportunity, including a winter storm, to steal customers' money and information. They prey on customers who might be more vulnerable to such scams during stressful situations, like a major storm," said Jason Hollifield, Duke Energy Carolinas storm director. "Our goal is to protect our customers from such devious schemes."

Below are tips for customers to avoid scams:

• If it's a recorded voice, often referred to as a "robocall," be extra cautious.
• Do not provide any personal information.
• Duke Energy's actual recorded calls to customers are informative only. The company's calls never threaten to cut off power and never request personal information.
• If a caller – recorded or live – specifically asks you to pay using a prepaid debit card, that's a red flag. Prepaid debit cards are like cash and the transactions cannot be reversed.
• If the caller pressures you to make an immediate payment of any type – or provide personal information of any kind, such as a bank account number or social security number – hang up the phone.

Duke Energy
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 7.9 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 51,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 27,500 people.

Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy strategy to create a smarter energy future for its customers and communities – with goals of at least a 50% carbon reduction by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The company is a top U.S. renewable energy provider, on track to own or purchase 16,000 megawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2025. The company also is investing in major electric grid upgrades and expanded battery storage, and exploring zero-emitting power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2021 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' "America's Best Employers" list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Media contact: 800.559.3853

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SOURCE Duke Energy

FAQ

What did Duke Energy announce on January 15, 2022?

Duke Energy warned customers about scammers impersonating company representatives during an upcoming winter storm.

What should customers do if they receive scam calls from Duke Energy?

Customers should not provide personal information, and they should hang up if pressured to make immediate payments.

How many customers does Duke Energy serve?

Duke Energy serves approximately 7.9 million customers across multiple states.

What are Duke Energy's carbon reduction goals?

Duke Energy aims for at least a 50% carbon reduction by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.