There are two new scams targeting Alabama Power customers, and they are showing up with more frequency and with variations. One goes after visitors to Internet chat rooms, and the other has scammers visiting homes posing as employees or members of the clergy.

• In one scam, customers in chat rooms encounter people posing as employees of companies or organizations that help pay bills for disadvantaged families. The scammers offer to help family and friends in need, but instead use the ploy to obtain valuable information on potential targets.
• In another scam, the scammers have physically gone to the customers’ homes. Sometimes, they are dressed as members of the clergy, there to assist people with their bills. They ask the customer for a “money pack” card, which is a disposable debit card that is untraceable. The scammers have also been known to impersonate Alabama Power employees, offering to reduce the customer’s bill by conducting an energy audit. The fake employee offers to immediately credit the account by accepting a cash payment on the spot.

  While in the victim’s home, they may even urge the customer to call Alabama Power to reassure them a payment was recorded. The system may show that a payment is pending, but that does not mean that it has been processed and received by Alabama Power.

The best way to prevent these scams is to have as many customers as possible to be aware of them. Customers should be alert to anyone offering to make any payments for a reduced amount, even if referred by a friend or relative.

If someone calls claiming to be with Alabama Power, politely hang up and call our toll-free customer service line at 800-245-2244, where you can be assured you are talking with the right people.

Alabama Power is working with law enforcement to investigate the recent scams. If you have been contacted by a possible scammer, or if you have additional information about these scams, please contact your local law enforcement agency.