Scammers are becoming more sophisticated as they attempt to impersonate CoServ. On one day alone earlier this year, CoServ Customer Care received 35 scam reports, mostly from local businesses.
Sometimes, it’s too late by the time the victim realizes what’s happening.
“I worry maybe they’re getting people we don’t hear from,” said Leah Bielicki, a Customer Care Specialist. “The worst part is these are mom and pop businesses, and the elderly.”
As the holiday season approaches, it’s important to stay alert. Scammers often ramp up their efforts during this busy time, hoping to catch people off guard when they’re focused on holiday plans and festivities.
Here’s what CoServ Customer Care Specialists Heard from Members:
- Many of the calls start with a spoofed phone number, giving them a 940 area code, like CoServ.
- They cast a wide net using auto dialers that call everyone in a certain area.
- Scammers told Members they had a past due balance and if they didn’t pay immediately, someone who is nearby would disconnect their meter.
- With the latest scam, Members received a text with a bar code and were ordered to scan it at Dollar General and make payments in $500 increments.
Fortunately, CoServ Members Can Use These Simple Steps to Identify the Scammer:
- Immediately check your SmartHub account to see your CoServ balance, whether it’s past due or if you are subject to disconnection.
- Make the scammer confirm the balance owed – the balance will be different than what you actually owe.
- CoServ makes courtesy calls before disconnection, but never orders Members to use an unorthodox payment method such as a bar code, pre-paid card, Venmo, or PayPal.
- Hang up and call the real CoServ Customer Care at 940-321-7800.
- You can also report it to the Federal Trade Commission by going to https://reportfraud.ftc.gov.
