Ala. AG warns consumers of fraudulent collection scams

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Legal Newsline) -- Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange warned consumers Monday about recurring scams in which consumers are asked to send money as a fee to receive prizes or to pay a supposed debt.

Strange's office received multiple reports in recent days from Birmingham and Huntsville of people receiving fraudulent calls.

The callers threatened that the recipients' power was about to be disconnected if they did not immediately pay by purchasing and sending a disposable debit card or by providing credit card information.

In response to the calls, the electrical utilities issued public warnings that urged consumers not to provide payments or information but to contact the company directly.

Strange's Consumer Protection Division periodically receives complaints and inquiries about similar scams. The scam artists typically claim to represent utility companies providing cable, telephone, natural gas or electricity service.

"These scams use fear and intimidation to trick people into thinking they owe money and to send payments quickly or they may lose an essential or highly-valued service," the attorney general said.

"I urge Alabamians to be suspicious of any such calls and to not be frightened into sending money they may not owe and which may be impossible to recover."

Alabama residents can contact Strange's office to file complaints about fraudulent calls.