DP&L alerts customers on scammers

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DARKE COUNTY — Dayton Power and Light (DP&L) is alerting customers to a recent increase in scams where a caller threatens to disconnect service if payment is not made immediately.

The caller may demand payment within an hour using a pre-paid debit card or cash. The call may appear to come from a 1-800 number or caller ID may falsely identify the source as a DP&L department.

Please be aware that this is an industry-wide problem that has affected many utilities across the country. DP&L is working with authorities to stop this unauthorized activity.

DP&L customers should be on the look-out for these tips to spot a scam:

  • DP&L will not email or call you and threaten to disconnect you unless you pay your bill immediately.
  • DP&L will not ask for bank information or a credit card number over the phone.
  • DP&L will not require you to pay in a specific method. We offer a variety of payment options that you can find online.
  • If you are unsure if an email or telephone caller is from DP&L, hang up and contact Customer Service at 800-433-8500 before supplying any information.
  • DP&L employees carry photo identification which customers should request to see to verify the person is a DP&L employer or an approved contractor.
  • DP&L will only come to your door to collect payment if your account is past due and you have been sent notice that your account is scheduled for disconnection.

Before doing anything, keep these additional tips in mind and visit our website — www.dpandl.com.

  • Never give anyone personal information such as your social security number (or numbers from the back of your social security card), bank account number or credit card number, unless you initiated the conversation and you are confident the transaction is legitimate.
  • If you receive a call from someone claiming to be with your utility company asking for payment, hang up and call the utility’s customer service number. DP&L customers can email us or call 800-433-8500.
  • If you have already provided information to someone making this offer, contact your bank and the three national credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion immediately.
  • If someone pressures you to provide personal or financial information, hang up immediately. Notify your local police department.
  • Check on elderly relatives and friends — often targets of such schemes — to make sure they have not fallen victim to this fraud.

If you are worried you may have provided information to someone you are not sure was from your utility or legitimate source:

  • Contact your bank to stop unauthorized withdrawals.
  • Contact DP&L via email or phone to let us know you were a victim of a scam.

If you are contacted by the scammers, file a report with the local Better Business Bureau.

Staff report

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