Alert to Neighbors

[KathieI]

Yesterday I received a recorded phone message that came from TECO (The gas company supplier for the villages area around Lake Sumter, I guess). The message stated that I was extremely late in paying my bill and that many charges were accumulating to the point where I might need financial aid to pay my bill. It was very alarming and after a minute or two, I was concerned because my bill is an auto deduction from my checking account and I worried that something was wrong with my C/A. I called the number they gave me and spoke to a real person at TECO, who after verifying who i was, checked my account and told me that no, everything was okay and there was no issue with my payments. When I expressed my concern about this call, the operator told me that they are getting many complaints like this and someone has started this scam. I guess they were hoping I had actually answered the phone and was an older person (which I am) who is not too savy to this type of stuff and given them my credit card # to stop the charges from multiplying. It was interesting that they gave me the actual gas company number to call back.

Please folks, if you get any calls like this from any utility company or account, please double check before you give out your credit card number. I loathe these type of people who pray on the elderly and perhaps folks with memory issues and hope that I have helped even one person here from avoiding this scam.

Thanks, Kathie

[Topspinmo]

I think Florida is scam capital of the world 🌎. Better be diligent cause they keep coming from all sources. Telephone, cell phone, computer, door to door. Then there the Amazon scams, IRS scams, social security scams utilities scams ( which you have witness) banking scams, ect.... Even where you use you credit card/bank card it can get Skimmed. Anywhere you have account that can get hacked. World we live in today. Don’t you wonder why we never here on news where hacking got caught or prosecuted?

[retiredguy123]

Thanks for the warning.

But, I don't think it is a good idea to give any company access to your checking account. If you have to use an auto pay system, it is much safer to allow automatic credit card charges. They are easier to track and can be disputed with your bank using the Federal protection rules.

[pacjag]

If I ever get a call like this, and I have had a few in the past, I thank them, look up the company’s number, and call them. I never believe someone calling me on issues like that are who they say they are. Thanks for the heads up.

[davem4616]

Thanks for the heads up

If they call me, I'm going to tell them that I don't have a credit card and they'll have to come see me and I'll give them either cash or a check (whichever they would like)....but I'm in and out, so they'll have to set a specific day and time. Then I'll have the police waiting.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

Please don’t be scared of auto pay with your bank , if you check your acct you’ll be okay , I’ve had a lot of homes in last 30 years . Mortgages, utilities , HO , all drafted from bank, what I put on backup credit card is cable, cell phone, wi fi newspapers I subscribe to from around the world and charitable donations and then both cards are paid full amount through the same drafting. I have never had a problem and the bank where my pensions go isn’t even in this state . I write 2 checks a year, one for home insurance, one for taxes

[Stu from NYC]

All to common. Just before we moved here late last year got a robo call from guy claiming to be from my electric company that they were on the way to my house to shut off powder for non payment.

Since we always way early called the company and said it was fraudulent. When I offered to give them the phone number they called me on they had no interest in investigating.

[Cupcake57]

I am troubled with calls about my car's extended warranty. I held for a customer representative, who asked me to verify the make/model; I said " 1974 Volkswagen Beetle". long pause, then he said "Is that you're only vehicle? I said yes; another long pause, then click! I hope that is the end of it, but probably not. Wish I still owned that Beetle!

[Mrsmac4]

I got a phone call from a woman who said that she was from some new company who was taking over distributing electricity (or something similar) and this new company requires a deposit of $200 which of course needed to be paid right then and there. The thing is I did receive a letter like a week previous notifying us that a new company would be taking over providing electricity. She wanted my SS# - ! Ofcourse I did not give it to her but she was getting a bit pushy which did not make a difference - I still did not comply. I am just writing this for my neighbors in The Villages to be aware. She never got any information - my electricity is still running.

[NY2TV]

Thanks for the warning.

But, I don't think it is a good idea to give any company access to your checking account. If you have to use an auto pay system, it is much safer to allow automatic credit card charges. They are easier to track and can be disputed with your bank using the Federal protection rules.

There is a fee to pay TECO by credit card. I use their budget plan and the direct debit to my checking account. Saves a stamp and I don't have to remember to pay them every month. Have done this with my utilities my entire adult life (as long as it has been available anyway). Never had a problem.

[Dilligas]

Thanks for the warning.

But, I don't think it is a good idea to give any company access to your checking account. If you have to use an auto pay system, it is much safer to allow automatic credit card charges. They are easier to track and can be disputed with your bank using the Federal protection rules.
Better than a credit card you should set up Electronic bill pay with your bank. You control who gets a check, you can set up auto reoccurring payments (same effect as creditor drawing from your account, but you control) for bills that are the same every month (like mortgages). I also set up reoccurring for credit cards at a small amount to cover any minimum payment level, to avoid missing a payment and getting a late fee charge. I don’t trust any company to tap into my checking.

[Girlcopper]

Thanks for the warning.

But, I don't think it is a good idea to give any company access to your checking account. If you have to use an auto pay system, it is much safer to allow automatic credit card charges. They are easier to track and can be disputed with your bank using the Federal protection rules.

Exactly. Also, whenever verifying an alert or something from any alleged credit card company, always call the number on the back of your credit card, not the one provided by the caller. Its odd and unusual in this instance that they left an accurate number. Also, never reply to an email similar to this either. The email will always appear legit. Always always only call the number on your credit card.

[Jupiter Joan]

Appreciate your sharing

[TSO/ISPF]

Our banks lets us set up an email alert anytime something is withdrawn from our account(s). We have ours set at 1 dollar and
get notified any time a withdrawal over .99 is made.

[J1ceasar]

Actually the two biggest "fake" phone "callers were found and fined recently . something like 14 billion calls monthly . fake health insurance. Notice these stopped????

[mollypeanut]

I think Florida is scam capital of the world 🌎. Better be diligent cause they keep coming from all sources. Telephone, cell phone, computer, door to door. Then there the Amazon scams, IRS scams, social security scams utilities scams ( which you have witness) banking scams, ect.... Even where you use you credit card/bank card it can get Skimmed. Anywhere you have account that can get hacked. World we live in today. Don’t you wonder why we never here on news where hacking got caught or prosecuted?

I agree 100% with the above!!
I had something happen, and I can only “assume” I hate that word.. But you tell me..
Back in March my son and his family visited we enjoyed breakfast at one of the country clubs.. It was my treat.. I have a CC that had no charges on it 0.00... this was on March 7th.. They returned home then the lockdown.. May I get a statement for April.. I have 2 charges for takeout from Chilpolti one for 129.00 one for 44.00.. My credit card is still in my pocket book!!! I have not left the house.. I called the credit card company they reversed the 129.00, I requested a new card.. I had to fight with them to remove the second charge..They said they could not trace the phone call..?
Please tell me how someone was able to use my credit card to order food over the phone? I had not used it other than at the county club that morning.. it was still in my pocketbook with me on lockdown.. No gas station, no groceries..

[ALadysMom]

We were getting strangely targeted robocalls when we were traveling to Central Florida to visit our daughter at UCF. The recorded robocall voice imitated Mickey Mouse and offered discounted travel deals especially cruises. The calls started when we were there then stopped when we left. I reported it to AT&T, to FL & to the FCC. I hope they caught the culprit.

[ALadysMom]

I agree 100% with the above!!
I had something happen, and I can only “assume” I hate that word.. But you tell me..
Back in March my son and his family visited we enjoyed breakfast at one of the country clubs.. It was my treat.. I have a CC that had no charges on it 0.00... this was on March 7th.. They returned home then the lockdown.. May I get a statement for April.. I have 2 charges for takeout from Chilpolti one for 129.00 one for 44.00.. My credit card is still in my pocket book!!! I have not left the house.. I called the credit card company they reversed the 129.00, I requested a new card.. I had to fight with them to remove the second charge..They said they could not trace the phone call..?
Please tell me how someone was able to use my credit card to order food over the phone? I had not used it other than at the county club that morning.. it was still in my pocketbook with me on lockdown.. No gas station, no groceries..

Sounds as if the waiter at the CC took a photo of your card then he/she used it to buy themselves lunch or they sold it on the dark web.Either way, a new card will stop new charges but I would report it to local police. The thief probably did it to other customers too.

[retiredguy123]

There is a fee to pay TECO by credit card. I use their budget plan and the direct debit to my checking account. Saves a stamp and I don't have to remember to pay them every month. Have done this with my utilities my entire adult life (as long as it has been available anyway). Never had a problem.
For companies who charge a fee to use a credit card, I set up email billing and make a manual electronic check payment myself every month. So far, I have never had to do business with any company who requires regular access to my checking account. Very risky.

The only company I allow to make monthly credit card charges is Xfinity Mobile, because they require all customers to use auto pay and they have a great cell phone deal. I refused to do business with Dean's landscaping because they require monthly credit card auto pay. So, I hired Massey instead.

[ALadysMom]

Thanks for the heads up

If they call me, I'm going to tell them that I don't have a credit card and they'll have to come see me and I'll give them either cash or a check (whichever they would like)....but I'm in and out, so they'll have to set a specific day and time. Then I'll have the police waiting.

Please don’t put yourself in harms way by meeting with them. Trying to outwit a crafty criminal isn’t a good idea.

[LG999]

I think it is safer to call the actual # on your statement or utility contract instead of the number provided.

[msilagy]

If people weren't still believing these calls the perpetrators would not be making them! Amazing!!!

[Stu from NYC]

Sounds as if the waiter at the CC took a photo of your card then he/she used it to buy themselves lunch or they sold it on the dark web.Either way, a new card will stop new charges but I would report it to local police. The thief probably did it to other customers too.

That is what I was thinking.

[Stu from NYC]

I get calls for lowering credit card interest rate all the time and even pressing the opt out button does not help. Also for extended warranties for cars we do not own. Not to mention windows calls and tells me my computer is sending out viruses.

Someone suggested and like the idea of messing with these crooks.

See how long you can keep them on the phone. I walk around my house when doing this so getting exercise and fun at same time.

[retiredguy123]

I agree 100% with the above!!
I had something happen, and I can only “assume” I hate that word.. But you tell me..
Back in March my son and his family visited we enjoyed breakfast at one of the country clubs.. It was my treat.. I have a CC that had no charges on it 0.00... this was on March 7th.. They returned home then the lockdown.. May I get a statement for April.. I have 2 charges for takeout from Chilpolti one for 129.00 one for 44.00.. My credit card is still in my pocket book!!! I have not left the house.. I called the credit card company they reversed the 129.00, I requested a new card.. I had to fight with them to remove the second charge..They said they could not trace the phone call..?
Please tell me how someone was able to use my credit card to order food over the phone? I had not used it other than at the county club that morning.. it was still in my pocketbook with me on lockdown.. No gas station, no groceries..
I never use a credit card in a restaurant where they take your card into another room. I pay cash. I think the banks should require their merchants to use a portable credit card machine for charges. I also have an alert set up to send me an email message whenever I make a credit card charge. These messages come within a few seconds after any charge is made.

[retiredguy123]

I get calls for lowering credit card interest rate all the time and even pressing the opt out button does not help. Also for extended warranties for cars we do not own. Not to mention windows calls and tells me my computer is sending out viruses.

Someone suggested and like the idea of messing with these crooks.

See how long you can keep them on the phone. I walk around my house when doing this so getting exercise and fun at same time.
I love those calls. Lots of fun. Something to do when you're retired.

[llmcdaniel]

When you hand your cc to the waiter, s/he takes it back to the register and quickly snaps picture of front and back of your card with cell phone. This info is quickly sold for about $25 to scammers who then call in orders on your card number. When it happened to us, a $1,500 charge for airline tickets to Paris showed up from Boston. Another couple of thousand dollars of Kroeger gift cards were purchased from Dallas, TX. Citi Bank immediately reversed the charges and issued new cards. They actually caught what was going on and called to ask if we had been to Boston and Dallas in past few days.������������������

[Scorpyo]

Thanks for the warning.

But, I don't think it is a good idea to give any company access to your checking account. If you have to use an auto pay system, it is much safer to allow automatic credit card charges. They are easier to track and can be disputed with your bank using the Federal protection rules.
I agree, however, there are some companies that don't accept credit cards such as Sumter Electric and our Villages Utilities and Amenities bill. They've been taking it directly from my checking account for the past 5 years with no problems. Everything else is on my credit card. The one thing I would strongly recommend is getting apps for your bank and credit cards on your cell phone. Check them daily - only takes a couple of minutes. Although like everything else in life it cannot totally eliminate risks, it can certain reduce them.

[Stu from NYC]

I love those calls. Lots of fun. Something to do when you're retired.

Enough of us waste their time and lots of them would find honest work to do. Or at least I would hope so

[kimgarwel12@gmail.com]

We also received a call from TECO after they took over Leesburg Gas after we moved to TV in May. The gentleman asked for my husband, refused to talk to me, and when he got my husband on the line, he said they needed to "finalize" our account and he needed my husband's date of birth and FULL SS #. My husband made some smart remark to him and hung up. I immediately sent an email to TECO alerting them to this practice and told them in no uncertain terms they would NOT be getting that info from us over the phone or otherwise! The next morning at 7:30, I received yet another phone call from TECO, from the same gentleman asking for the same info from my husband again. I was supposed to hear back from TECO with regard to my email as their canned reply indicated, but they never did follow up. Instead, I received an email to access my account using other methods than SS#. All is good now and the first bill has been paid. I also don't like giving any access to my checking account, so while I do online bill pay, I manage it monthly when it's convenient for me and when our income has cleared our account. This scamming business has gotten out of hand and apparently there's no way to fight it. VERY annoying and frustrating.

[Bikeracer2009]

I got a call, confirmed my information and when asked for my ssn I told her that I don't give information over the phone unless I call them. Ended that call.

[OhioBuckeye]

Yesterday I received a recorded phone message that came from TECO (The gas company supplier for the villages area around Lake Sumter, I guess). The message stated that I was extremely late in paying my bill and that many charges were accumulating to the point where I might need financial aid to pay my bill. It was very alarming and after a minute or two, I was concerned because my bill is an auto deduction from my checking account and I worried that something was wrong with my C/A. I called the number they gave me and spoke to a real person at TECO, who after verifying who i was, checked my account and told me that no, everything was okay and there was no issue with my payments. When I expressed my concern about this call, the operator told me that they are getting many complaints like this and someone has started this scam. I guess they were hoping I had actually answered the phone and was an older person (which I am) who is not too savy to this type of stuff and given them my credit card # to stop the charges from multiplying. It was interesting that they gave me the actual gas company number to call back.

Please folks, if you get any calls like this from any utility company or account, please double check before you give out your credit card number. I loathe these type of people who pray on the elderly and perhaps folks with memory issues and hope that I have helped even one person here from avoiding this scam.

Thanks, Kathie
Just curious, you called the # they gave you. What if they did say you were late & they told you, you could pay it right now? Would you? Man I would of never called the number they gave me, that could of been a worse disaster. Glad it worked out for you, whew!👍

[mollypeanut]

Sounds as if the waiter at the CC took a photo of your card then he/she used it to buy themselves lunch or they sold it on the dark web.Either way, a new card will stop new charges but I would report it to local police. The thief probably did it to other customers too.
That was my feeling.. scary part is if that was the case they waited more than a month to do it.. charge was April 18, I did not see it till my May statement.. thats 2 months!! I don’t think many people go that long without using their cards.. So most would not catch it..
But I did cancel the card immediately..

[ALadysMom]

I get calls for lowering credit card interest rate all the time and even pressing the opt out button does not help. Also for extended warranties for cars we do not own. Not to mention windows calls and tells me my computer is sending out viruses.

Someone suggested and like the idea of messing with these crooks.

See how long you can keep them on the phone. I walk around my house when doing this so getting exercise and fun at same time.

By pressing “opt out” you are confirming your number is owned by a human being and that’s why you keep getting more of the same. Even answering confirms your number is active. it’s a sorry, sad business.

These are not honorable people. They are like an evil Wizard behind the programming curtain so nothing is as it seems nor as they say it is.

[Stu from NYC]

By pressing “opt out” you are confirming your number is owned by a human being and that’s why you keep getting more of the same. Even answering confirms your number is active. it’s a sorry, sad business.

These are not honorable people. They are like an evil Wizard behind the programming curtain so nothing is as it seems nor as they say it is.

Good point, sad that being on the do not call list is so useless.

Since we moved here earlier this year and changed our landline number much less robo calls as they have not found us yet. Starting to get more junk mail though.

[Dahabs]

Better than a credit card you should set up Electronic bill pay with your bank. You control who gets a check, you can set up auto reoccurring payments (same effect as creditor drawing from your account, but you control) for bills that are the same every month (like mortgages). I also set up reoccurring for credit cards at a small amount to cover any minimum payment level, to avoid missing a payment and getting a late fee charge. I don’t trust any company to tap into my checking.

I have always declined having utilities draw directly from my bank account. When there is a billing mistake I prefer to have it corrected and then pay the proper amount. I do receive their invoices electronically and typically pay them immediately.

Did some consulting work for a utility a number of years ago and I have seen first hand the horror show when the billing software /application is badly designed.

[ronjon309]

Never call back on the number they give you. Check your bill or the company web site for the correct address/phone number. You were smart to question the call. Surprising they gave you the real customer service number

[bob47]

I have always declined having utilities draw directly from my bank account. When there is a billing mistake I prefer to have it corrected and then pay the proper amount. I do receive their invoices electronically and typically pay them immediately.

Did some consulting work for a utility a number of years ago and I have seen first hand the horror show when the billing software /application is badly designed.

Some years ago I was having a recurring charge drawn from a Citizens Bank checking account. I changed providers, called the bank to stop the authorization, and was told that the company I authorized to draw the monthly charge must turn it off. I could not. Is this correct?

That doesn't sound right. With recurring charges going to a credit card, I can stop them at any time.

[Topspinmo]

Sounds as if the waiter at the CC took a photo of your card then he/she used it to buy themselves lunch or they sold it on the dark web.Either way, a new card will stop new charges but I would report it to local police. The thief probably did it to other customers too.

I agree, you don’t know what happen when you let someone take you’re credit card yards away and behind counter. Besides I don’t like paying interest on crap. :icon_wink:

[jebartle]

Yesterday I received a recorded phone message that came from TECO (The gas company supplier for the villages area around Lake Sumter, I guess). The message stated that I was extremely late in paying my bill and that many charges were accumulating to the point where I might need financial aid to pay my bill. It was very alarming and after a minute or two, I was concerned because my bill is an auto deduction from my checking account and I worried that something was wrong with my C/A. I called the number they gave me and spoke to a real person at TECO, who after verifying who i was, checked my account and told me that no, everything was okay and there was no issue with my payments. When I expressed my concern about this call, the operator told me that they are getting many complaints like this and someone has started this scam. I guess they were hoping I had actually answered the phone and was an older person (which I am) who is not too savy to this type of stuff and given them my credit card # to stop the charges from multiplying. It was interesting that they gave me the actual gas company number to call back.

Please folks, if you get any calls like this from any utility company or account, please double check before you give out your credit card number. I loathe these type of people who pray on the elderly and perhaps folks with memory issues and hope that I have helped even one person here from avoiding this scam.

Thanks, Kathie

Most scams will not go to voice mail, I never answer phone unless I recognize caller.

[JoMar]

Wow, I feel so lucky. We have Robo call so lots of scam calls don't get answered, only answer calls that we recongnize on caller ID, for the last 18 years have paid all utilities, mortgages, credit card payments cable and telephone with direct payment....bank pays nothing except what we signed up for and won't accept any change in direction so the bad guys can't send it someplace else. We check our CC charges every couple weeks plus the CC fraud department reaches out if the see something odd. We also use paypal for those that accept it. Since we started we have had zero incidents...ever. Have two issues with credit cards and they were handed quickly including FedEx the new card. I have no family or friends that have had serious issues. I carry one credit card, drivers license, Villages ID card and less than 50.00 in cash all held together with a binder clip. Guess we are lucky :)

[Bogie Shooter]

Some years ago I was having a recurring charge drawn from a Citizens Bank checking account. I changed providers, called the bank to stop the authorization, and was told that the company I authorized to draw the monthly charge must turn it off. I could not. Is this correct?

That doesn't sound right. With recurring charges going to a credit card, I can stop them at any time.

Some years ago? Maybe you should call the bank now to see if that is correct.

[ColdNoMore]

Most scams will not go to voice mail, I never answer phone unless I recognize caller. I don't answer an unrecognized caller's # either.

Unfortunately though, while a lot of these would-be scammers won't leave a voice mail message, they WILL keep your number on their list...as long as your voice mail just comes on. :mad:



Here are some good tips.

Scammers/Robocalls (pick up here) (http://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2019/robocalls.html)
Scammers often use caller ID spoofing to mask their true location, making it appear that they’re calling from a legitimate or local number to raise the odds that you’ll pick up. (In the AARP study, 59 percent of respondents said they are more likely to answer if caller ID shows a number with their area code.)

Whatever the message, don’t engage. Doing so can lead you to a real live scammer, who’ll pressure you to make a purchase or pump you for personal information, like a credit card or Social Security number. Even just pressing a key or answering a question alerts scammers that they’ve hit on a “live” number, and they’ll call it again and again.