BPU Customers, be on high alert!
Scammers are once again targeting customers in McPherson. DON’T FALL FOR IT!
Here is the latest report:
Customer Service just received a call from a customer asking if the BPU offered a 30% discount to senior citizens. Our customer service representative let the customer know that the BPU does not offer a discount to senior citizens. The representative pressed further and found out that the customer had been called by someone saying they were from the BPU and that senior citizens who pay their bills on time will receive a 30% discount on their bill for 2 years. The scammers then told the customer that they need to set it up out of their checking account, but the first payment has to be on a credit or debit card. Luckily, the customer realized it was a scam before giving out sensitive information and hung up. They then called our customer service team to confirm.
If anyone ever calls and claims to be with the McPherson Board of Public Utilities, and demands payment immediately, or asks for sensitive information HANG UP and call the BPU at (620) 245-2515. to inquire about anyone contacting you about your bill or claiming to be from the McPherson BPU.
Be aware and remember these tips:
• Never give anyone personal information, such as your social security number (including the numbers on the back of your social security card), bank account number or credit card number and never purchase and send a prepaid card to someone, unless you initiated the conversation and you are confident the transaction is legitimate.
• If you receive a call from someone claiming to be with your utility company asking for payment, hang up and call the utility’s customer service number. BPU customers can email us or call (620) 245-2515.
• If you have already provided information to someone making this offer, contact your bank and the three national credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, immediately.
• If someone pressures you to provide personal or financial information, hang up right away. Notify the police department at (620) 245-1200.
• Check on elderly relatives and friends, often targets of such schemes, to make sure they have not fallen victim to this fraud.