VECTREN CORP Vectren Corporation One Vectren Square Evansville, IN 47708
Nov. 11, 2015
Media contact: Chase Kelley, (812) 491-4128
Evansville, Ind. - Vectren is warning customers of a multi-state bill payment scam that is resurfacing this in scattered locations throughout the U.S., including the Evansville area. As part of the scam, which is targeting primarily businesses, customers receive an unsolicited phone call from a fraudulent individual claiming to be a representative for the utility company. The individual warns that the utility will disconnect the customer's energy service if the customer fails to make an immediate payment - usually within a half hour.
Customers are instructed to purchase a prepaid debit card from a local store and call the fraudulent individual back to supposedly make a payment to the utility company. Upon calling back, the customer is asked to provide the receipt number and PIN number from the prepaid debit card, giving the individual instant access to the card's funds and the ability to immediately drain its balance.
'Vectren would never require a customer to purchase a prepaid debit or credit card in order to make a payment of any type,' said Doug Petitt, Vectren's chief information officer. 'We're urging any customer who is approached in this fashion to contact us immediately to verify the legitimacy of the request and discuss his/her account status.'
If customers receive a phone call with these characteristics, local law enforcement should be contacted. Customers can also utilize Vectren.com's live chat option or call 1-800-227-1376 to reach Vectren's contact center, which is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Customers can also report the scam at the Better Business Bureau website, www.bbb.org/scam.
Vectren Corporation (NYSE: VVC) is an energy holding company headquartered in Evansville, Ind. Vectren's energy delivery subsidiaries provide gas and/or electricity to more than 1 million customers in adjoining service territories that cover nearly two-thirds of Indiana and west central Ohio. Vectren's nonutility subsidiaries and affiliates currently offer energy-related products and services to customers throughout the U.S. These include infrastructure services, energy services and coal mining. To learn more about Vectren, visit www.vectren.com.
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