10th Annual Utility Scam Awareness Day: Putting Customers First In The Fight Against Scams

Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas and the Better Business Bureau are joining Utilities United Against Scams for the 10th annual Utility Scam Awareness Day on Nov. 19 – an ongoing commitment to helping customers slow down, verify and stop the scam.

What’s happening

For a decade, Utility Scam Awareness Day has helped customers stay ahead of scammers. Our priority is keeping your money and personal information safe.

• 2025 to date: Duke Energy has received nearly 3,000 scam reports in the Carolinas through the end of October.

How we help you stay safe

Slow Down. Verify. Stop the Scam.

• Slow Down: If a payment request feels urgent or suspicious, pause and protect yourself.
   
• Verify: Always use the official phone number or website from your bill.
   
  • For scam reporting, visit Duke Energy’s Scam Reporting Tool, Scams & Fraud – Piedmont Natural Gas, or Scam Tracker – Better Business Bureau.
     
• Stop the Scam: Report any suspicious contact to your utility and law enforcement.
   
  • You can also check and report scams through the Better Business Bureau Find and Report a Scam and find more tips at U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Advice page.

What scammers try – and how we protect you

• Scammers may demand immediate payment or threaten service cut-off, but we will never do that.
   
• They may ask for payment via prepaid cards or cryptocurrency – we never accept these methods.
   
• They may impersonate utility reps or promise refunds for personal info.
   
• For more information on how to spot and avoid scams, visit Scams & Fraud –Duke Energy or Scam Tracker – Better Business Bureau.

Our promise to customers

Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas will never:

• Specify how you must pay
   
• Threaten immediate service interruption

If you’re targeted

• Hang up, shut the door or delete the message
   
• Contact your utility using the info on your bill or our official website

Voices from our partners

“Scammers change scripts; our guidance doesn’t: We don’t threaten instant shutoff, and we don’t dictate how you pay. If you hear either, stop and verify with us directly.” – Jessica Bishop, Duke Energy senior vice president of Customer Services Operations

“Our promise is simple: clear natural gas bills, secure payment channels, and support when something feels off. We urge everyone to stay vigilant, verify before you pay, and contact us right away whenever concerns arise.” – Brian Weisker, Duke Energy senior vice president and president of Piedmont Natural Gas

“Scammers are willing to try anything to steal your money and/or your identity. Pressure, secrecy and odd payment methods are the tells. At BBB, we strive to provide consumers and businesses with as much information as possible about scams that have been reported to us via BBB Scam Tracker.” – Juliana O’Rork, Better Business Bureau vice president of marketing, communications and business development

Stay updated:

• Utilities United Against Scams | Facebook
   
• Utilities United Against Scams (@U_U_A_S) / X

About UUAS:
Utilities United Against Scams (UUAS) is a consortium of 150-plus U.S. and Canadian utilities sharing data and best practices to protect customers.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. The company’s electric utilities serve 8.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 55,100 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.

Duke Energy is executing an ambitious energy transition, keeping customer reliability and value at the forefront as it builds a smarter energy future. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables and energy storage.

More information is available at duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition.

Piedmont Natural Gas

Piedmont Natural Gas, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, distributes natural gas to more than 1.2 million residential, commercial, industrial and power generation customers in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. More information: piedmontng.com. Follow Piedmont Natural Gas: X, Facebook.

Better Business Bureau

The Better Business Bureau has empowered people to find businesses, brands, and charities they can trust for more than 110 years. In 2024, people turned to BBB.org more than 220 million times for BBB Business Profiles on 5.5 million businesses, and 725,000 times for BBB charity reports on 12,000 local and national charities. Regional, independent BBBs can be found across the United States and Canada, including BBB of Southern Piedmont and Western North Carolina, which was founded in 1949 and serves 37 counties in North Carolina and South Carolina.