Watch Out For Email And Phone Scams
Scammers targeting Otter Tail AOA体育平台 Company customers
Otter Tail AOA体育平台 Company is aware of recent scam activity in parts of its service area. 鈥淪cammers are taking advantage of potentially heightened anxiety around the COVID-19 pandemic,鈥� said Customer Care Supervisor Collin Kremeier. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important for our customers to know that we鈥檒l never pressure you to make immediate payments, especially through services like MoneyPak, MoneyGram, or pre-paid credit cards.鈥�
Otter Tail AOA体育平台 Company continues to put the health and safety of its employees and customers first鈥攚hile it continues to maintain reliable electric service in the region. As always, the company is working with its customers to address specific concerns.
Kremeier outlines these red flags if you receive suspicious contact from a possible scammer:
- The caller says he or she works for Otter Tail AOA体育平台 Company or a collection agency and your electricity is about to be shut off鈥攅ven though you know you鈥檝e paid your bill.
- The caller references a phony bill date, account number, or balance. Otter Tail AOA体育平台 Company doesn鈥檛 offer this information over the phone and only will validate what customers provide.
- If the scam surfaces via email, the message does not mention Otter Tail AOA体育平台 Company yet contains a clickable link that supposedly would allow you to view your bill.
Use these tips to help protect yourself:
- Don鈥檛 call back the number the scammer provided, as scammers can spoof the company鈥檚 phone number, making it appear as though the call is coming from Otter Tail AOA体育平台 Company. Contact the company directly at 800-257-4044 or check your account using the company鈥檚 website, otpco.com.
- Only share information by phone if you鈥檝e initiated the call.
- Don鈥檛 click on links in or reply to a suspicious email.
- Never share business or personal information by email.
- Contact your financial institution if you shared banking or credit card information.
- Report illegal activity to local law enforcement and to the Federal Trade Commission at 877-FTC-HELP.
鈥淎n Otter Tail AOA体育平台 Company Customer Service Representative may call to remind you to make a payment鈥攂ut never will ask to process your payment on the call,鈥� said Kremeier. 鈥淧lease call us with questions about your account or to set up payment arrangements. Stay well during this difficult time.鈥�