ODESSA, Texas (KOSA) – Scammers are targeting Atmos Energy customers with sophisticated methods.
The energy company is aware of cybercriminals using a fake website and a search engine optimization technique to pose as Atmos employees.
Atmos says there have been no known victims of this scam in the Midland-Odessa area.
However, the energy company would prefer to be proactive to prevent these scams from continuing.
Since the site looks like a replica of Atmos and is the main search, people believe the information on the page.
Once they are redirected to the fake page, there is a fake customer support number.
These calls tell people that they will be offered a discount if they pay immediately, which leads many people to use this option.
Atmos Energy says there are ways to ensure which website is real and which is safe.
“So I think one way is to make sure that the Atmos Energy website is safe. So instead of clicking on a sponsored link, search for Atmos Energy on Google, don’t click on the sponsored link, instead go to a non-sponsored link,” said Atmos Energy Public Affairs Manager Andrea Goodson.
Another thing you can also do is make sure your account number matches what you see online.
Atmos Energy says its employees will never call before or after its business hours, which are Monday through Friday from 7 am to 6 pm central time.
Scammers have become more sophisticated with their methods that trick people who don’t notice the red flags.
“I gave them their first and last names, their email address, obviously our address, their date of birth, their social security number.” said Atmos customer L’Oreal Jones, who reported this scam to the police.
One of the things he didn’t give the man he spoke to was any card information.
Jones says the person she spoke to sounded like a nice guy with good customer service.
However, when the man gave her a number to call and it was different from what was online, she hesitated.
“Then he offered the $77 discount. Which would bring it to $149. The final balance with the discount would be $149. So, he could have gotten over $200,” Jones said.
Luckily for Jones, he had a gut feeling and checked the website again and saw that it said Atmost with a “T” instead of Atmos. And he thought it was a scam.
Jones made a police report and is currently waiting to see if anything happens with his finances.
If you are an Atmos Energy customer and suspect you may be a victim of this scam, please contact your local police and Atmos Energy Customer Service at 888.286.6700.
Copyright 2023 KOSA. All rights reserved.
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