Atlanta Gas Light alerts customers about utility-imposter scams

ATLANTA – Tuesday, November 19, 2024 – Atlanta Gas Light reminds customers to stay alert and take proactive steps to protect themselves and their families from utility imposter scams. In 2023 alone, these scams cost consumers nearly $2.7 billion, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

To mark Utility Scam Awareness Day on November 20, Atlanta Gas Light is joining forces with more than 150 U.S. and Canadian energy companies to shine a light on deceptive practices used by imposters and empower consumers with the information they need to stay safe.

Scammers have become increasingly creative, using digital platforms, phone calls, texts, phishing emails and even contacting electric and gas customers in-person, to request immediate payment and threaten service disconnection. 

Atlanta Gas Light urges customers to stay alert for potential scam activities, such as:

• Threats to disconnect their natural gas service if immediate payment is not made.
• Requests that payments be made from a single method, such as a debit card, prepaid card, checking account, cryptocurrency or to send funds via a mobile app to make a bill payment.
• Claims they have overpaid, and their bank account or credit card number is needed for a refund.
• Requests to vacate their home so that a meter or other natural gas equipment can be replaced.
• Suggestions through social media that their bill will be covered by a charity after they make a partial payment by way of a wire transfer.

Atlanta Gas Light takes the following proactive measures to protect customers.

• The company will never contact them regarding their natural gas bill. While Atlanta Gas Light maintains the region’s pipeline infrastructure, responds to emergencies and reads meters every month, it does not bill customers directly. Only certified natural gas marketers in Georgia sell natural gas to customers and subsequently bill these customers for their natural gas use. Customers should always contact their selected natural gas marketer with any bill related questions.
• Atlanta Gas Light employees and contractors who visit customer homes or businesses will have Atlanta Gas Light identification.
• Customers have the option of signing up to receive the company’s Keep Me Informed appointment status text messages and can access a photo of the technician assigned to perform work at their property.

Customers who suspect or experience fraud should contact local authorities, and then call the customer care center phone number listed on their billing statement. For more information, visit atlantagaslight.com/fraudprotection.

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About Atlanta Gas Light
Atlanta Gas Light is one of four 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 approximately 1.7 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 4.4 million natural gas utility customers through its regulated distribution companies in four states with more than 600,000 retail customers through its companies that market natural gas. Other nonutility businesses include investments in interstate pipelines and ownership and operation of natural gas storage facilities. For more information, visit southerncompanygas.com.

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Media Contact:
DeAllous Smith
404.922.6886
dealsmit@southernco.com