Beware: “Obama Will Pay Your Utility Bill” Scam Goes Nationwide
An identify theft scam that we saw in New York a few months back has spread nationwide. 
The scammers who run the fake program ask people to hand over their Social Security numbers so that they can be enrolled in a fake government program which pays their utility bills.
Victims of the scam are given bank account and routing numbers to use when paying their bills online, but only after they “register” by surrendering their Social Security numbers.
Of course, the program does not exist, but last week, 2,000 people were tricked in Tampa according to TECO Energy Inc, a local utility company.
“We see scams once or twice a year, and a handful of people fall for them. But this is crazy,” TECO spokeswoman Sylvia Wood told MSNBC.
The scam works so well because the routing numbers provided by the scammers work for a short period. So victims of the scam tell their friends, family and neighbors about it once they receive a confirmation number after the bill is paid. It is only later, after the payment is rescinded, that the victim learns of the scam.
Similar scams were reported in New England, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Utah, and California.
Comments
Powered by Facebook Comments
They should have lost more than just their personal information, Anybody, that is that d**n stupid, deserves to get ripped off. People like this, wants something for nothing, and think that the government is their personal bank. Stop buying those Gucci bags, and Michael Jordan shoes, and every d**n new phone, and object that comes out, and pay your own d**n bills.
Hey, I’m looking at the picture of The President, and he’s giving the bird to the camera, WTF?
Let me guess it was Black People who felt for this scam right! Come on Family they are not going to give us anything for free they never have and never will stop thinking we are going to get something for nothing Obama didn’t do s**t for us the entire time in office and now you think he is going to pay your utility bill! You have a better chance of pool our resource and coming up with a way we can pay each others bills before he pays ours! Truth has come to you!
It really doesn’t matter what color anyone is…the fact of the matter is actually believing, and then doing it before one actually checks into it, that is really sad. Of course it is hard to believe that we can get something for nothing. We probably cannot.
In regards to the staement that Obama has not done anything for anyone is very incorrect. A couple of years ago people that had dental issues were allowed to go to health clinics and get their teeth/mouth repaired….for FREE. There were rules/stipulations to the program, and people were able to get dental care until the funds ran out. I saw so many people here in my city taking advantage of this program that it was unbelievable. So, Obama has done something for people. It helped a lot of people out that had been suffering for years or who could not financially pay for root canals, cavities, etc.
Consciously look into the initiatives that President Obama said he would do when he was campaigning in 2008, check thoroughly and see what initiatives have been accomplished and then ask yourself, “How many other presidents have made promises to the American people and come through with them?” Most have not.
As far as Obama not having done s—–for us, I have no clue who the “us” is because he certainly has helped me and other members of my family. I bet if you check with some of yours, you may find that he has helped them also. And, what would you actually like for him to do for us??
It does not take much to bring out the bitterness of some people.
@ Karol, I beg to differ. Issues in this Country has always been Black & White, because it’s been about Blacks & Whites. First, the middle class was started because of the 13th amendment, when they freed the slaves, Whites were given FREE land, houses and CREDIT to buy anything they wanted. Ex-Slaves were given NOTHING. Mexicans was just given aminasity, even thou you couldn’t check their backgrounds for criminal history or credit worthieness.Programs in this country has been startred to supposedly benefit Blacks but has benefitted more whites, hispanics and other races and not Blacks because if you don’t know about a program how can you benefit. We have had black people working in different Government officies for years but they never inform other Blacks. Black Lawyers or Judges never tell you the truth about the criminal justice system, just like Black banking officials never tell Blacks about PROGAMS that could help them. Why, they got theirs, you gotta get yours… Black people are owed. But the Black preachers and politicians tell us we are owed BUT, now is not the time to make demands. September 22, 1862 President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation but it was supposed to be official by January 1, 1863. But for Texas and other southern States Slaves weren’t freed untill June 19, 1865. SO in my eyes REPARATIONS are owed to all decendents of Slaves. Not BLACK SLAVE OWNERS, you know who you are.
And you can call me a bitter brotha.