Alabama Power warning customers about potential scams.

Your phone rings. The Caller ID says “Alabama Power.” You answer.

The nice person on the other end informs you that your power is about to be turned off for non-payment — but that as the dispatcher, there is still time to settle up your account.

The caller tells you to go get a money pack card, or to proceed to a third-party payment center.

And if you make the trip and pay, you will have been taken for a ride. Twice.

Scams are nothing new, but those that are tried and true tend to come back.

In this case, the would-be criminals are spoofing the Caller ID of their outbound line, which often is overseas. The caller may even leave you a voicemail, and when you call back, the scammer will likely answer “Alabama Power, how may I help you?” They put artificial pressure on customers to pay and pay now, to avoid the consequences. It can sound very convincing, but it isn’t legit.

“That’s not the way we conduct business at all,” said Alabama Power Corporate Security Director Randy Mayfield. “When your bill is past due, you will see it on your bill. If we have to, we will send a separate notice of upcoming disconnect. But we don’t call customers and threaten them with a deadline in that way.”

Most customers who get called do the right thing — they hang up. If you are the least bit suspicious about the person who is calling you, you are encouraged to hang up and call our customer service line directly, 1-800-245-2244.

In one recent case, the customer got the scam call at a perfect time: He was already in an Alabama Power business office, ready to pay the bill for his business. When he offered to add the new amount to the check he was going to write, the scammer was adamant that he had to take care of the new amount over the phone.

Remember

• We will never come to your door and demand an immediate payment.
• We will never ask you over the phone for bank information or a credit card number.
• Any Alabama Power employee who comes to your door for any reason will have company identification that he or she will gladly show you. If you have any questions about whether a person actually works for Alabama Power, call Alabama Power at 1-800-245-2244 and do not let him or her inside your home.
• Scammers sometimes claim they represent a public agency or government office offering grants that can pay your Alabama Power or other utility bill. Never provide anyone making this claim your credit card information, your Alabama Power Company bill information or account number, or any personal banking information. If someone makes this claim, call Alabama Power or your local police department to report it.
• If you ever have any question about the status of your Alabama Power account, do not hesitate to call us. You can reach Alabama Power Customer Service day or night, seven days a week, at 1-800-245-2244.

News media requiring additional information can call the Media Hotline at 205-257-4155.