Alabama AG Warns Residents About Collection Scam

Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange is warning state residents of recurring scams involving callers being asked to send money to pay a debt or as a fee to receive prizes or merchandise.

In Huntsville, Ala. and Birmingham, Ala., there have been reports of people receiving fraudulent calls threatening that their power was about to be disconnected if they did not immediately pay by providing credit card information or by purchasing and sending a disposable debit card.  In response, the actual electrical utilities issued public warnings urging consumers not to provide information or payments, but to contact the company directly.

The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division periodically receives inquiries and complaints about similar scams, with scammers claiming to represent utilities companies that provide electricity, natural gas, telephone or cable service.

“These scams use fear and intimidation to trick people into thinking they owe money and to send payments quickly or they may lose an essential or highly-valued service,” said Attorney General Strange. “I urge Alabamians to be suspicious of any such calls and to not be frightened into sending money they may not owe and which may be impossible to recover.”

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