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Insights > Entergy recognizes National Consumer Protection Week, shares tips to avoid scams
Entergy recognizes National Consumer Protection Week, shares tips to avoid scams
02/28/2024
Entergy is pleased to recognize National Consumer Protection Week, a Federal Trade Commission awareness campaign to help customers identify, avoid and report scams.
Consumer fraud reports reached a record high – $10 billion in losses – in 2023, according to the FTC. About 1 in 5 people lost money to imposter scammers, who claim to be someone they’re not to gain your trust. These criminals approach consumers through a variety of methods, including phone calls, texts, emails and in-person visits.
“Utility imposters continue to impersonate Entergy representatives in an attempt to obtain our customers’ money or personal information,” said Chris Peters, vice president and chief security officer at Entergy. “We urge you to always exercise caution to protect yourself from scammers."
Here are four common scams and tips to protect yourself from them:
- Caller ID scams: Don’t rely on caller ID; criminals can falsify it to disguise themselves as Entergy representatives. Do not share personal information with unsolicited callers, and always confirm an unknown caller’s identity through independent verification.
- In-person scams: Be cautious of unexpected visitors claiming false affiliations with Entergy. Entergy representatives at your doorstep will not rush you to sign up for any programs or services, especially without giving you time to review all terms and conditions.
- Search engine scams: Watch out for fraudulent websites and phone numbers that look like ours when you search for them online. Always confirm that you are using our official website, entergy.com, and our official customer portal, myEntergy.com, to conduct business.
- Threats to disconnect: Beware of threats to disconnect your utility service if you don’t provide immediate payment. Entergy representatives never demand immediate payment or cut off service without considerable advance warning.
"Hang up, shut your door or delete the message if you suspect someone is trying to scam you,” said Yovanka Daniel, vice president of contact center operations at Entergy. “After that, contact us directly to verify the authenticity of the phone call, message or in-person visit. Never use the call-back number a potential scammer gives you.”
Report scam activity to Entergy, your bank or financial institution and the proper authorities, which can include the Better Business Bureau or FTC. Document all details, such as receipts, names, websites, phone numbers or email addresses, associated with the crime.
Entergy is proud member of Utilities United Against Scams, a consortium of more than 150 U.S. and Canadian electric, water and natural gas utilities and their respective trade associations that are dedicated to combating utility imposter scams. With the assistance of customer reports, UUAS has helped disconnect more than 14,020 toll-free numbers that scammers used to target utility customers.
