PASCO COUNTY, Fla. -- The Pasco County Sheriff's Office is warning residents about a phone scam involving Duke Energy.
- Pasco deputies warn of Duke Energy scam
- Scammers knows name on account, address
- Scammers ask for MoneyPak as payment
Deputies say scammers are calling people and claiming to be a representative from the utility company.
The phone number being used is 877-353-3958 and shows up on caller ID as Duke Energy.
Deputies say the caller knows the name on the account as well as the address. If you answer the phone, the caller then walks you how to avoid having your power turned off.
When deputies called the number, they were told they owed nearly $400 plus a $5.95 service fee. The caller then told deputies to go to CVS or 7-Eleven and purchase an express payment card or MoneyPak. Deputies were then told to wait for "Mr. Robinson" who would call back and ask for the numbers on the back of the payment card.
"Obviously, no reputable company would attempt such a roundabout way to receive payment," the Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post.
If you receive a similar call, deputies say you should hang up and call law enforcement.