Evergy warns energy customers of scammers threatening disconnection to collect payments

The energy company Evergy is warning its customers that scammers are trying to collect payments from customers under the threat of disconnection.

Evergy said in a news release Wednesday it had received “many customer reports” of scammers calling customers and falsely claiming to be Evergy representatives. The scammers ask customers for immediate payment to avoid service disconnection.

Evergy states that calls from real Evergy employees for past-due accounts are never made the same day as the disconnection. Customers have reported that in most cases the scammer claims to be an Evergy customer service representative to get the customer to provide credit card information or other personal information, telling customers a check has bounced or they have a past-due bill. Scammers will often ask customers to use a prepaid card for payment.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, scammers have increased calls, texts, emails and in-person tactics and are contacting utility customers asking for immediate payment to avoid service disconnection. Evergy will never ask customers to make payments with a prepaid debit card, gift card, any form of cryptocurrency or third-party digital payment mobile applications. If customers have been scammed, Evergy advises them to work with their local law enforcement agency to report the crime.

Customers may verify an individual is from Evergy by asking to see company identification or by calling the Evergy customer service before giving any information, such as an Evergy account number or banking information. If customers can’t verify they are speaking with an Evergy employee, they should not reveal any information. Lawrence customers, who are in the Kansas Central service area, may call 1-800-383-1183 or review their account status online by visiting evergy.com.

When it comes to identifying Evergy employees in person, Evergy states that all employees will carry Evergy identification. For a service appointment, they may be driving an Evergy vehicle or wearing Evergy branded clothing. Evergy does not perform door-to-door sales. Evergy employees rarely need to enter a customer’s home.

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