Media launch
OKLAHOMA CITY (May 15, 2024) — Attorney General Gentner Drummond and OG&E are working collectively to warn Oklahomans about scams involving photo voltaic power gear and companies.
Drummond urged Oklahomans to stay vigilant in defending themselves in opposition to telephone scams.
“Fraudsters are all the time searching for new methods to separate unsuspecting people from their cash, and this newest telephone rip-off isn’t any exception,” he mentioned. “Oklahomans must be cautious of high-pressure ways in telephone or door-to-door solicitations, even when they declare to be linked to a good firm. Always confirm.”
OG&E clients have alerted the ability firm to a current improve in automated telephone calls. One name guarantees hundreds of {dollars} in rebates for OG&E clients consistent with “new power coverage” and “mandates.” The caller requested clients to enroll in a photo voltaic power program saying it will “assist our new mandate.”
Another name featured a person claiming to be with OG&E and threatening to chop off service to clients in the event that they did not pay their invoice instantly over the telephone. OG&E clients additionally reported a rise in door-to-door salespeople attempting to promote photo voltaic gear and falsely claiming to be affiliated with or working with OG&E.
“We don’t name our clients and ask them to pay their payments, nor will we go door to door to enroll them in particular applications or companies. Despite any claims, OG&E doesn’t have any photo voltaic panel set up companions, nor will we suggest or affiliate with any firm that sells photo voltaic manufacturing gear,” mentioned Aaron Cooper, company communications supervisor. “We perceive the frustrations and impression of scams, and we would like our clients to remember and shield themselves from turning into a sufferer of the most recent rip-off. We thank the Attorney General and his group for his or her work to guard of Oklahomans from all these scams.
The Consumer Protection Unit of the Attorney General’s workplace gives tricks to keep away from falling sufferer to this rip-off:
- No respected firm will power you to enroll instantly;
- No respected firm will ask for fee prematurely or in a selected format (eg wire, Venmo / CashApp / Zelle, reward playing cards, cryptocurrency);
- Ignore numbers you do not acknowledge;
- If you imagine the supply could also be real, go to the OG&E web site and name the shopper assist line to examine;
- If you miss a name from an unknown quantity, do not name again; and
- Remind older associates and neighbors who could also be susceptible to all these scams about methods to keep away from turning into a sufferer.
Anyone who believes they often is the sufferer of a phone rip-off ought to contact the Office of the Oklahoma Attorney General at [email protected] or (833) 681-1895.
Editor’s be aware: Audio recordings of the rip-off calls can be found upon request by contacting OG&E at [email protected] or (405) 553-3616.