VERO BEACH — The Vero Beach Police Department is investigating a scam involving people calling and falsely representing themselves as a utility provider to get gift cards, according to Vero Police.
Over the past three weeks the authorities have received several phone complaints and reports from citizens being contacted by phone by a person claiming to be a representative from the local utility provider (FPL or Vero Beach Utilities), according to police.
The caller tells the residents or businesses that they are behind on their utility bill and are in danger of having the power cut off unless they pay right away, according to Vero Beach Police’s facebook page.
To add credibility to the fraud, the scammer sometimes uses what is called “spoofing technology” that makes the caller ID display the name and phone number of the local utility company.
Most of the time the caller requests customers purchase a money order or cash gift card and then call back with the security PIN number.
This is not how utility companies or any other reputable company would initiate collections, according to authorities.
Police advise the public to not provide personal information to anyone not known to them.
If there is any doubt that the call is legitimate or not, hang up and contact the utility provider directly.
City of Vero Beach Utilities Customer Service: (772) 978-5100
Florida Power and Light Customer care: (321) 723-7795
If you believe you may have received a similar call, authorities urge that you contact them immediately.
