October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which is an effort to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity across the nation, ensuring that all Americans have the resources they need to be safer and more secure online. The theme this year is “Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart.”

The frequency and sophistication of cybersecurity attacks are increasing and pose a real threat to the utility industry and the customers we serve. We need YOU, our customers, to remain vigilant and aware of the environment in which you live and work. Here are some tips on ways you can avoid being a victim of a scam online:

Don’t Get Scammed
We have seen an increase in reports of individuals calling customers and falsely claiming their electric or gas service will be disconnected unless payment is made. These impersonators instruct customers to buy a prepaid credit card and call back to a different phone number with the personal identification number (PIN) or other personal information.

They also use a tactic called “spoofing” to manipulate the Caller ID displayed phone number so that it appears as a company number.

Remember
Company representatives will never call you to ask you for cash or request that you purchase a prepaid credit card to make a payment on your bill.

Passwords
Never provided your email, password to an individual or online through an unsecure channel. You should always verify the URL for the website you are visiting in order to ensure you are providing your login credentials on the appropriate and expected website.