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\nGovernor Andy Beshear issued a scam alert Monday warning Kentuckians of utility-related scams popping up in the midst of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.<\/p>\n
\nGovernor Andy Beshear issued a scam alert Monday warning Kentuckians of utility-related scams popping up in the midst of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.<\/p>\n
This warning from Governor Beshear comes after members of Kentucky electric co-ops reported receiving calls from someone claiming to work for the local utility and threatening to disconnect their service without immediate payment.<\/p>\n
The governor said the Kentucky Public Service Commission issued an order that halts disconnections for non-payment and fees for late payments. Anyone threatening to cut off your electricity during the COVID-19 emergency is likely a scammer.<\/p>\n
Friday, the Governor also issued an Executive Order that extends the protections against disconnection for non-payment and assessment of late fees for entities providing utility services not regulated by the Public Service Commission (PSC). <\/p>\n
This order applies to water, gas, electric and wastewater service. The Governor noted the vast majority of cities and non-PSC-regulated entities have been voluntarily not disconnecting, and not assessing late payment fees, since the middle of March.<\/p>\n
Governor Beshear added no matter who you are or where you are in the commonwealth, you are protected from being disconnected for nonpayment.<\/p>\n
The temporary pause on disconnections will remain in place until further notice. However, these temporary measures do not mean customers are not obligated to pay their bills.<\/p>\n
To help lower your chances of falling victim to a scam, use the following tips:<\/p>\n
Know your utility services cannot be disconnected at this time for nonpayment<\/p>\n
If you receive a call from someone pretending to be your utility representative, hang up and do not give them personal or financial information<\/p>\n
Call the publicly listed number for the utility company to verify your account status<\/p>\n
If you are making a payment to your utility company during this time:<\/p>\n
Double-check that you are on the correct website, and not a fake replica, before submitting credit card or banking information <\/p>\n
Kentuckians who suspect they have been contacted by a scammer should call the Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-888-432-9257<\/p>\n