SCE&G Warns of Phone Scam

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — SCE&G customers beware, a scammer could be calling you. “Basically, they say that there are federal funds available and the President can help them pay their utility bills and all they need to do is provide them their SSN and a bank routing number, ” says Robert Yanity, SCE&G spokesperson. Crandall Sims reporting, “If you fall for it that’s where they get you, officials say the caller on the other end of the phone will then take your personal information and use it to their own good.” Yanity says Midlands residents aren’t the only ones affected. “This is a nationwide scam, we understand there are utility companies across the country that have customers who are unfortunately being taken by it,’ says Yanity. So how do you protect yourself? Most important, SCE&G officials warn you to never give out your personal information unless you are 100% certain the person on the other end is a representative of your utility company. With SCE&G, Yanity says customer service will ask you a series of security questions. Also, SCE&G offers four ways and only those to pay your bills. They include: Making a payment at one of the SCE&G business offices, by mail or through SCE&G’s phone payment, BillMatrix. Finally, officials warn that if what the caller on the other end of the line is saying sounds to good to be true, it probably is. If you believe you may have been taken by this scam or another involving your SCE&G utility bill, officials ask that you call customer service at 1-800-251-7234.