President Barack Obama speaks in Asheville, NC. (File/FOX Carolina)GREENVILLE, SC (FOX Carolina) -
Duke Energy customers are encouraged to be on the lookout for a new scam that claims President Barack Obama will pay their utility bills through a federal program.
Duke Energy sent out the warning that the scam asks for customers' personal information, including their birth date and social security number, and are provided instructions on how to make a utility payment.
Customers are told not to accept unsolicited offers from anyone who says they will pay their utility bill.
Duke Energy customers are not the only victims of the scam, according to the Better Business Bureau. The BBB reports that reports have been made across the country.
The BBB said consumers have been contacted in person and through fliers, social media and text messages with claims that Obama is providing credits or applying payments to utility bills.
To receive the money, scammers claim they need the consumers' social security and bank routing numbers and in return they are given a phony bank routing number that will supposedly pay their utility bills.
But there is no money. The BBB said victims believe they have paid their bills when in fact they have not.
Anyone who had been a victim of the scam could become identify theft victim and are encouraged to contact the BBB.
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