Residents are being warned about a phone scam involving individuals posing as Georgia Power representatives and threatening to disconnect electricity unless immediate payments are made.
The scammers are reportedly contacting residents and claiming their electric bills are past due. They then threaten to shut off power immediately unless the customer makes a payment over the phone.
The calls are designed to create fear and pressure victims into acting quickly without verifying whether the information is legitimate.
Scammers often demand payment through methods that are difficult to trace or recover, including prepaid debit cards, gift cards, wire transfers, mobile payment apps, and cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin.
In some cases, scammers use a technique known as “caller ID spoofing,” which allows them to manipulate the name or phone number displayed on a recipient’s phone. This can make the incoming call appear to be from Georgia Power, even though it is coming from a scammer.
Residents are reminded that Georgia Power does not call customers demanding immediate payment over the phone or threatening same-day disconnection.
Anyone receiving a suspicious call is encouraged to hang up immediately and avoid providing personal information, banking details, or payment information.
Customers concerned about the status of their electric bills should contact Georgia Power directly through its official website at GeorgiaPower.com or by calling the customer service number listed on their utility bill.
Residents should never rely solely on the phone number or name displayed on caller ID to determine whether a call is legitimate.
The public is also encouraged to share the warning with friends, neighbors, and older family members who may be particularly vulnerable to these types of scams.
Officials remind residents that scammers often rely on fear and urgency to convince victims to send money before they have time to recognize the warning signs.
Anyone receiving a threatening utility disconnection call should take time to independently verify the information before making any payment.