Utility company warns SC customers of phone scam

A utility company is warning their customers to beware of a telephone-based scam. 

Progress Energy is telling its South Carolina customers not to give out credit card information to callers posing as representatives from their company or any other utility company. Customers have reported receiving phone calls from persons claiming to represent Progress Energy saying they will disconnect power unless a payment is received. The caller will then request credit card information.

Progress Energy says that only in very rare cases will they ask for such information.

Other scams in recent years have involved people who claim to be an employee or representative of the utility company seeking entry into a customer’s home. The company says that if you are ever in any doubt about the identity of anyone claiming to be a Progress Energy employee, or have received a call from someone claiming to be with the company and is asking for credit card information, you’re asked to contact their customer service center at 1-800-452-2777.