Greg's Corner

Shut-off scam targets man on medical equipment

By Greg Collier

The shut-off scam is when scammers pose as your power company and threaten to shut off your electricity, although it can be used with other utilities. Typically, a scammer will call their victim to tell them that the victim’s account is behind in payment, and someone will be there in 15 minutes to disconnect the power. To prevent termination of service, the scammers will ask for immediate payment in unorthodox ways, such as gift cards and cryptocurrency. While the shut-off scam can occur during any time of the year, it’s most common in the winter and summer months. That’s because most victims would be in fear of losing the heating or cooling in their home.

However, one man targeted in this scam is a lot more dependent on his home’s electricity than most of us. The New Hampshire man recently had heart surgery. As part of his recovery, he’s being monitored at home by his doctors through a piece of equipment that’s connected to a combination pacemaker and defibrillator. If something were to go wrong with the man’s heart, doctors could attempt to treat him remotely. The problem with that is if the power is out, the monitor won’t work.

So imagine this man’s terror when being told his power is being shut off for an unpaid bill. The caller ID on his phone even displayed the name and phone number of his power company.

There was no word in the report if the man fell victim to the scam.

People like this man who are dependent on the electricity in their home for medical reasons could be a gold mine to shut-off scammers. Of course, the scammers don’t care if victim’s like this live or die, as long as they get their payment.

Please keep in mind, utility companies will not call you to threaten you with a termination of service. If someone were to fall behind in their account, they would receive a notice in the mail. If termination of services is in the cards for someone, the utility company typically gives a few days if not weeks for the customer to make arrangements.

If you receive a call like this, hang up and call your utility provider at the customer service number on their statement.