CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The public was warned Thursday about a scam to use Public Service Commission of West Virginia’s information to illegally obtain utility customer financial records.
The Commission received a complaint from a woman in Boone County, who said her financial information was improperly obtained by a telephone caller who identified himself as a PSC employee.
He offered her a PSC program to provide her $250 a month for a six-month period to ease her utility bills. In response, the caller asked for her debit card number and bank account, which she provided.
The call was a scam, and the caller did not work for the Commission.
“Public Service Commission employees do not contact utility customers to advise them of utility relief programs,” Chairman Charlotte R. Lane said.
“A PSC employee would never ask a customer for his or her financial or banking information,” Lane said.
“If anyone calls you seeking such information, or offering such a program in the name of the PSC, please hang up and call your local law-enforcement agency,” Lane added.
