Imagine this: someone is at your door or on the phone claiming to be a natural gas utility employee, but how can you be sure they are a legitimate worker? Scammers may pose as a utility employee over the phone or at your door, seeking access to your home or personal information. Pretty tricky, right?
At Kansas Gas Service, the safety of our customers is our top priority, so we want to ease your worries and help you avoid these scams to protect your family and home against fraudulent activities. Avoiding scams is possible when you know the red flags to look out for and how to identify a legit utility worker.
You have a utility worker at your door, but do you know how to spot an official Kansas Gas Service employee or contractor?
Our employees will happily help you verify their identity. Take your time and check for the following three things:
1. Ask them for photo identification – Our employees always carry company photo identification cards, and they will gladly show you upon request.
2. Look at their uniform – Kansas Gas Service employees are dressed in clothing with our logo including safety vests, shirts, hard hats or ball caps. Check out the photo for an example!
3. Look at their vehicle – Our field employees will drive a vehicle with an Kansas Gas Service logo on the side.
Remember, Kansas Gas Service employees will never request payment in person. If you’re asked for payment, this is a red flag of a scam.
We often have contractors working directly with Kansas Gas Service to ensure your natural gas is delivered safely. They don’t wear our uniforms or drive our trucks, but feel free to ask for identification when they ask to access your home or yard.
Ring ring! A utility employee is calling you. How can you know the difference between a scammer and a legit caller?
Here are three tips to identify, avoid and respond to utility telephone scams:
1. Be wary of urgent or warning language
If the caller uses urgent language, such as “your service will be shut off if you don’t pay immediately,” stay calm, hang up the phone and call our customer service line at 800-794-4780 to check on the status of your account.
2. Be careful giving personal information over the phone
Never provide your Social Security number, credit card number or banking information to anyone unless you initiated contact and feel confident with whom you are speaking.
3. Be proactive
If you believe you have been a victim of a scam, contact your bank immediately and the three national credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Request a notation on your account so it doesn’t impact your credit rating. To report a scam, call The Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-382-4357.
If concerned about a potential scam, we’re here to help. Call our customer service line at 800-794-4780.
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