Fraudsters are currently trying to trick electricity customers into handing over sensitive data over the phone. Stadtwerke Gießen advises caution.
Once again, dubious callers are up to mischief. They are trying to trick electricity customers into handing over sensitive data. Customers of Stadtwerke Gießen (SWG) are reporting telephone calls in which the caller announces an alleged increase in electricity prices of 30 per cent in March. But this obvious lie is not enough. It only serves to create uncertainty and as a pretext for the actual request: The caller claims to be able to prevent this electricity price increase and to co-operate with SWG in this matter. All he needs is the meter and customer number.
Simply hang up
There are still only a few known cases of this scam. To ensure that this remains the case, Ulli Boos, Head of Marketing at SWG, advises caution: "Customers should never disclose sensitive data over the phone. We at SWG would never ask for it. Because we have all the information we need to ensure reliable delivery." Irrespective of this, SWG never communicates price changes over the phone. "I generally recommend that all customers don't even get involved in such calls, but simply hang up," adds Ulli Boos. "That's not rude in this case, but appropriate to the situation."
SWG is asking all those who have received or will receive such or similar calls for their support. "We are grateful for any information about how the fraudsters are proceeding," continues Ulli Boos. After all, SWG can only warn its customers and possibly initiate criminal proceedings against the fraudsters if it learns of these fraudulent scams. Anyone wishing to report an attempted scam can call the SWG service number 0800 2302100.