Entergy is receiving numerous questions from customers concerning a scam that claims the president of the United States or the government is applying payments to customers' utility bills.
Scammers want us to believe we're getting help from the federal government with our electricity bills but instead victims could end up with a stolen identity and an empty wallet.
"It's your worst nightmare," said Entergy customer Kathryn Fuller.
The scams have occurred throughout the country with different companies including Entergy Texas.
To collect your very important personal information scammers will show up at your doorstep, give you a call or a text or even contact you through social media. Trying to convince you that a new federal assistance program will pay up to one thousand dollars on your utility bills.
"If it sounds too good to be true it usually is," said Debi Derrick with Entergy
She says scammers will supply customers with phony bank account and routing numbers to pay for their utility bills, causing customers to believe payments have been sent when fact is they are not.
"There are certain consequences for that. None of us wants to be without electricity. None of us want to have credit damage," said Derrick.
To avoid falling for this scam never give your personal information over the phone unless you initiated the contact.
"Unless I'm physically in a bank I don't give anyone my social, I don't give out my social," said Entergy customer Atom Hunter.
And Entergy customers should only use company-authorized methods to pay for their bill.
"I make sure if I get anything like that I verify it with Entergy or the bank," said Hunter.
The first line of defense against any scam is to be aware and take proper precautions.
The scam has been able to spread because, in some cases, when victims receive confirmation of their payment they tell their family and friends, who in turn, also fall for the scam.
Entergy says they first saw this scam in may but over the past few weeks they've found almost fifty of their customers have been victims.
