DALLAS, Texas – Nov. 15, 2023 – Atmos Energy joins Utilities United Against Scams (UUAS) this week to support International Fraud Awareness Week and today recognizes the eighth annual Utility Scam Awareness Day, an advocacy and awareness campaign focused on educating customers and exposing the tactics used by scammers.

In recent years, utilities have seen increased reports of their customers being contacted by scammers who pose as utility workers in an attempt to access their financial information or to obtain immediate payment by threatening service interruptions. These are known as utility impostor scams. The theme of this year’s campaign is “Screen the Search,” which reflects the rise in utility impostor scams through digital methods, including search engine-related scams.

Earlier this year, Atmos Energy became aware of an ongoing “Search Engine Phishing” operation, where cybercriminals use search engine optimization (SEO) techniques to place a fake website into a browser’s top search results. Any user who clicks on one of these “spoofed” websites is redirected to what looks like a legitimate Atmos Energy page, but that fake page features a fake customer service number and other false information.   

“The most effective way to combat scam attempts is through education, awareness and extreme caution anytime someone contacts you about a utility bill payment,” said Kelly Biegler, Atmos Energy vice president of public affairs. “In addition to online and telephone scams, beware of impostors demanding payment at your door. Always ask for an employee’s identification badge which displays name, photograph, and Atmos Energy logo. Our employees will not collect payments in person.”

UUAS, a consortium of more than 150 U.S. and Canadian electric, water, and natural gas utilities and their respective trade associations, continues to raise customer awareness of common scams and new scam tactics used by utility impostors. Through its work and with the help of customer reporting, UUAS has successfully helped to take more than 14,020 toll-free numbers used by scammers against utility customers out of operation. 

Digital scam tactics that customers should be aware of include:

• Sponsored ads on search engines that lead to an identical—but fake—utility bill payment page
• QR codes that scammers falsely claim link to a utility payment page
• Texts from a scammer claiming to be a utility representative, with a link to an impostor payment page

“Together, utilities are working to combat scammers by spreading awareness and partnering with telecom providers to remove access to phone lines for reported scammers. As always, we encourage policymakers to adopt stronger public protections and encourage private citizens and small businesses to stay vigilant against scams,” said UUAS Chair and Kissimmee Utility Authority Manager of Customer Service Bud Ajdukovic.

As a reminder, utilities will never ask for payments using a pre-paid debit card, gift card, cryptocurrencies, or third-party digital payment mobile applications, and they will provide multiple notices before any service interruptions are implemented.

Customers who suspect fraud or who feel threatened during contact with a scammer should contact local law enforcement authorities and Atmos Energy Customer Service at 888.286.6700, Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Central time.

For more information and tips to protect against impostor utility scams:

• Visit Atmos Energy’s website at atmosenergy.com/scams. 
• Visit the UUAS website at www.utilitiesunited.org.
• Follow UUAS on Twitter and Facebook, and join the conversation by using #StopScams.
• Visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website at https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/.