It’s scam season, Dominion warns
Dominion Virginia Power warns customers not to fall for scammers who call and tell them they missed a payment and their electricity will be disconnected unless they pay up immediately. These types of scams tend to increase around the holidays, when people are stressed out and distracted.
Dominion does not require payment over the phone and will never demand immediate payment by PayPal, MoneyPak, Green Dot, or any prepaid debit card to prevent disconnection of electric service, the company says.
If you get a call like that, call Dominion, 866-DOM-HELP, to check the status of your account. You can also ask the scammer for their name, phone number, and other details and report suspicious phone calls to the police, 703-691-2131.
“Be aware, ask questions, and protect yourself from falling victim to scams,” says Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring, who oversees the state’s consumer protection department. “The holidays can be an especially busy time,” Herring says. “Scanners know that we generally are more vulnerable when our focus is on gift-giving, travel, celebrations, and time with family and friends.”