Utility companies nationwide warn about bogus utility bill credits

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Warning are going out nationwide about a scam that  claims President Obama is applying hundreds of dollars in payments and credits toward your utility bills.

The scammers try to get you to give up your private information such as social security numbers, putting you at risk of identity theft.

KCPL is the latest utility to issue the warning.  The scam claims the president is applying up to $1,500 toward paying your utility bills if you make an immediate payment using a bogus bank routing number supplied by the scammers.  The scammers try to get your social security number.

According to the reports, crooks go door to door, call or use social media and text messages.

KCPL warns customers never to give out credit card, social security, checking or saving account numbers to anyone who calls or comes to your home.

In fact, utility companies and Better Business Bureaus across the nation now issue the same warnings, from  Arizona to the Carolinas to Washington state.

The BBB offers these tips to help you avoid this and other scams:

· Never provide your social security number, credit card number or banking information to anyone requesting it over the phone or at your home unless you initiated the contact and feel confident with whom you are speaking.

· If you receive a call claiming to be your utility company and feel pressured for immediate payment or personal information, hang up the phone and call the customer service number on your utility bill.

· Never allow anyone into your home to check electrical wiring, natural gas pipes or appliances unless you have scheduled an appointment or have reported a utility problem. Also, ask utility employees for proper identification.

· Always think safety first. Do not give in to high pressure tactics over the phone for information or in person to get into your home.