COLUMBUS, Ohio - Crooks are at it again and this time, they're focusing on electric bills.
The newest twist on the old electric disconnect scam is that the crooks call someone and pretend to be from the electric company. They catch the victim off guard and threaten to disconnect their power if they don't pay up. The PUCO's Matt Schilling says don't fall for that.
"Oftentimes, these callers demand payment via a prepaid credit card," Schilling says.
But, Schilling adds, utilities don't operate that way. He says state law requires 14 days lead time before your bill is due. He says anybody at risk of disconnection will get several notices before that actually happens.