Hannibal BPW Warns of Potential Scams

Hannibal Board of Public Works officials advise customers to be alert for con artists who may impersonate utility workers.

These con artists may threaten a service disconnection unless payment is made immediately. Hannibal BPW Public Relations Coordinator Kari Goodman says the change of season often brings utility themed scams.
In these scams, the person making contact may ask the targeted victim for a credit card number,  to wire money directly or go to a local store and purchase a reloadable debit or gift card used for phone or online payments. Calls from such swindlers are often received after hours or on weekends, outside of the utility’s usual business hours.

Scammers may also use caller ID that spoofs the utility name or impersonate voice recordings to appear to be from utilities and to persuade customers to make payments. Fraudulent callers may also tell you to call a phone number and give your credit, debit or prepaid card number. Police warn to never give personal or banking information over the phone.

The Hannibal Board of Public Works has the following tips if you get a call, email, or personal visit from someone about your utility service:

--Never give out your Social Security Number, credit or debit card number or banking information to anyone requesting it over the phone or at your home unless you initiated the contact or expected the call from the HBPW.

--Never wire money to someone you don’t know — regardless of the situation. Once you wire money, you can’t get it back.

--Do not click links or call numbers that appear in unexpected emails or texts — especially those asking for account information. If you click on a link, your computer could become infected with malware, including viruses that may steal information or ruin a computer.

--Never allow anyone into your home to check electrical wiring, gas pipes or appliances. Always ask an HBPW employee for proper identification. All HBPW employees are required to carry their municipal ID with them when in the field.

HBPW employees are not allowed to take payments in the field.
If you think a fake utility bill collector or any other scammer has contacted you, report the contact. Notify the Hannibal Board of Public Works at (573) 221-8050. Call Hannibal Police at (573) 221-0987.  File a complaint with the Missouri Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division (online at https://www.consumer.ago.mo.gov/ or by phone at 1-800-392-8222.) Be ready to include in your complaint any notices received or caller ID numbers for the incoming call.