In honor of my Caught Dead in Wyoming mystery series, my assistant Gabriella Samuels is writing for my newsletter and blog a series of consumer tips inspired by TV reporter Elizabeth Margaret Danniher.
With summer comes fireflies, barbeques, heat, and a spike in energy bills. Many are trying to save money due to increased air conditioning usage, and scammers are taking advantage of this to steal money from homeowners. To do this, scammers like to rely on the home energy audit scam.
Home energy audit scams happen when scammers pose as utility company representatives or government officials to trick homeowners. By phone, scammers will contact victims with fake sales and discount offers or false claims of overdue bills. There are cases where people might arrive in person, presenting false credentials and pretending to be conducting a “home inspection,” which could result in a home invasion or burglary.
This is scary, but there are ways to protect yourself from being a victim of these scams.
- If you find a phone call suspicious, hang up. Do not disclose personal or financial details over the phone even if the representative insists.
- To confirm any offers, reach out to your utility company directly. Don’t rush into agreements or contracts without researching and verifying the existence of the offer.
- Avoid using payment apps or gift cards for such transactions. Scammers will attempt to rush you into making payments through platforms like PayPal and Venmo.
- If you’re not expecting a home inspection, don’t allow anyone into your home. You should receive advanced notice for any visits from your utility company. If individuals arrive at your doorstep claiming to be utility company representatives, contact your utility company to verify their authenticity.
If you believe you’ve been targeted by a scammer, notify local law enforcement. The Better Business Bureau also offers a scam tracker for warning and reporting scams.
Stay vigilant and protect yourself and your wallet!