Atlanta Gas Light Alerts Natural Gas Customers on Latest Phone Scam
ATLANTA – Dec. 4, 2017 – Ensuring the safety and security of the communities where we live and serve is our highest priority. That’s why Atlanta Gas Light is alerting natural gas customers of a recent phone scam targeting account holders. According to reports, a customer of a natural gas marketer received a call from a person claiming they represented Atlanta Gas Light. The customer was advised by the caller that her natural gas service was scheduled for disconnection due to a past due bill. The caller mentioned a $500 re-connection fee would be required to restore service. Once the customer referenced contacting an attorney, the scammer hung up the phone.
The customer immediately contacted the marketer and confirmed the account was not past due, nor was service scheduled for disconnection. A second person has reported receiving a similar call.
Atlanta Gas Light is committed to keeping its customers informed about utility scam activities. We will never call customers regarding their natural gas bill and ask our customers to remain vigilant against utility imposters who use scare tactics and fraudulent attempts to solicit immediate payments.
We offer the following safety tips to keep our customers alert and safe:
How to protect yourself
- While we maintain the pipeline infrastructure, respond to emergencies and read meters every month, we do not bill customers directly. Only certified marketers sell natural gas to customers, and bill their customers for usage.
- Whenever a field service representative or one of our contractors visits your home or business, they will provide proper identification. If you have further concerns, please contact customer care at 1-800-427-5463 to confirm that a representative has been scheduled to perform work at your premises.
Red flags for scam activity
- The individual becomes angry and tells the customer his or her account is past due and service will be disconnected if a large payment isn’t made – usually within less than an hour.
- The individual instructs the customer to purchase a pre-paid debit or credit card – widely available at retail stores – then call him or her back to supposedly make a payment to the company.
- The individual asks the customer for the prepaid card’s receipt number and PIN number, which grants instant access to the card’s funds.
Customers who suspect or experience fraud, or feel threatened during contact with an individual posing as a company representative, should contact local authorities, and then the customer care center phone number listed on their bill.
For information, visit www. atlantagaslight.com/safety.
About Atlanta Gas Light
Atlanta Gas Light is one of seven natural gas distribution companies of Southern Company Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO). Atlanta Gas Light provides natural gas delivery service to more than 1.6 million customers in Georgia. In operation since 1856, the company is one of the oldest corporations in the state. For more information, visit atlantagaslight.com.
About Southern Company Gas
Southern Company Gas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), America’s premier energy company. Southern Company Gas serves approximately 4.6 million natural gas utility customers through its regulated distribution companies in seven states and more than 1 million retail customers through its companies that market natural gas and related home services. Other non-utility businesses include investments in interstate pipelines, asset management for natural gas wholesale customers and ownership and operation of natural gas storage facilities. For more information, visit Southern Company Gas at southerncompanygas.com.
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Media Contact:
Mekka Parish
o: 404.584.4165 | c: 404.387.8067 | msparish@southernco.com
