OG&E reminds customers to be vigilant of scams

Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company (OG&E) is reminding customers to be aware of scams targeting residents across its service area. Customers have notified OG&E about payment scams and the electric company wants customers to stay safe and aware.

"OG&E has safe, convenient options for our customers to pay their bill. Unfortunately, bad actors are trying to take advantage of our customers, which is why we're reminding customers to always be aware," said Christi Woodworth, Vice President, Marketing & Communications at OG&E. "Following the tips at OGE.com/scams can help our customers stay safe online and avoid the frustration and financial impact of payment scams."

Some OG&E customers in Oklahoma and Arkansas have experienced these scams:

• Website payment scams: Scammers are manipulating search results on common search engines and using fraudulent 800 numbers imitating authorized payment processors to mislead customers to believe they are contacting OG&E to pay their bill. Do not use a search engine to pay. Always go directly to OGE.com/PaymentOptions to pay your bill online.

• Immediate payment phone scams: Scammers target customers by phone and fraudulently claim to represent OG&E and threaten disconnection of electric service if immediate payment is not made.

What customers should know:

• We will not call and ask customers for full bank information or credit card numbers over the phone.

• We will not demand that customers pay ANY bill with a pre-paid debit card.

• We will not call customers directly, even if their balance is past due, and ask for payment.

• We will not call customers to ask for a payment over the phone.

• We will not ask customers to meet in person to make a payment.

• We will not come to a customer's home or business to collect payment in cash.

• We will not call and threaten immediate disconnection without prior notice.

• We will not come to a customer's home or business demanding payment or selling products like solar panels.

Customers can report scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov/assistant or contact the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office at [email protected].