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The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and other local Law Enforcement Agencies continue to receive numerous calls from citizens in reference to a phone scam.
The caller falsely represents themselves as Entergy employees. They are telling citizens that their electricity bill is past due and if they don't make arrangements to pay the bill immediately, they will be disconnected.
They are telling people who normally pay by check or a monthly automated payment that they have not received their payment.
Yesterday, several people reported that they were told that they owed three months back pay totaling $500.00 and they would need to make an immediate payment by going to the Dollar General store or CVS to purchase a “Money Pak” cash card and send them the information.
After the victim sends the $500.00 payment, the scammer contacts them again advising them that they have not received the $500.00 payment. They then are told that they now owe $1,000.00 plus and $11.00 processing fee. They are told not to tell the cashier at the store what the payment is in reference to as the cashier could charge them an additional fee.
This is a SCAM. If you have questions about your Entergy bill, contact Entergy directly.
The number that shows up on the caller ID indicates that it is a call from Entergy. The message that they leave you advises you to call another phone number to pay your bill. They have an automated answering system that mimics Entergy. They will ask you for a phone number, your account number, your social security number or your Tax ID number. Do NOT give out any of your personal information. Entergy will already have it on file and will not request this information.
If a call sounds suspicious, hang-up and call 1-800-ENTERGY (1-800-368-3749) to speak directly with an Entergy customer service representative.
If you have been a victim of this scam, contact your local law enforcement agency, Entergy and your financial institution.
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10/8/2020 11:09 AM
Crystal Holmes, PIO
cholmes@co.jefferson.tx.us