As a small business or startup owner, everyone puts their best into running their businesses seamlessly. While they are on their way to learning a lot of new things, some scammers look out for these novices to gain unjust benefits. We talked to a few of these businesses, and one of the most common strategies these scammers adopt is to pretend to be utility companies and trick them into paying for unprovided services.
These SMBs are usually unaware of such scams, which is why they believe instantly without verifying the services or company and end up losing their money and personal data. Considering this imposter utility scam, we reached out to Faisal Abidi, Serial Entrepreneur and Co-Founder of RNF Technologies, who has been in the tech industry for more than 12 years. We asked him to share his views on how new businesses or startups can save themselves from falling into these traps. Let’s discuss various warning signs and ways to avoid utility scams addressed by Faisal Abidi.
Warning Signs of Utility Scammers Underlined By RNF Technologies’ Faisal Abidi
Faisal Abidi, RNF Technologies, underlined that scammers contact victims regarding utility services like gas, water, and electricity and ask for instant payments; otherwise, they will disconnect the supply. These utility scammers create a situation of emergency to get money from the victims. Authentic utility supplies don’t make a fraudulent call like this, nor do they rush to get the money from their customers. Making personal calls to all the defaulters seems time-consuming, which is not an adopted method by actual utility companies.
These utility scammers ask the victims to make a wire transaction or pay through a gift card or cryptocurrency. It is done to make it difficult for the victims to track their payment, highlights Faisal Abidi, RNF Technologies. Be cautious while making any transaction via such payment mode.
Many scammers draft a legitimate-looking email and threaten the victim for quick payments; otherwise, they will discontinue the services. Again, if the victim doesn’t confirm the authenticity of the mail and clicks on the scammy link shared in the email, they end up disclosing their personal information or losing their money to these scammers. Some scammers even reach out by sending fake notifications regarding the utility services, underlining Faisal Abidi, Phonato Studios, RNF Technologies’ development arm.
After highlighting the various methods adopted by utility scammers, Faisal Abidi gave a few suggestions on how new businesses or startups can save themselves from getting into scammer’s traps.
A few Ways To Save Yourself From Utility Scams, Suggested By Phonato Studios’ Faisal Abidi
- Verify, First
Faisal Abidi, RNF Technologies, suggests that the foremost thing to do when you come across a message regarding your utility services is to check whether you’ve enrolled for such services. If not, you know what to do. But if yes, check the source of the message or email. Instead of panicking about losing your connections, cross-verify the company’s name and agent and call your concerned service provider directly.
- Confirm, Second
When you reach out to your service provider, ask them about the mail or message and if they approve it, then only go ahead. Always avoid clicking on the attached links with the email or message unless you’re sure of the sender. Links are the easiest way to scam people for their personal or banking information, stresses RNF Technologies’ Faisal Abidi.
- Pay, Last
Finally, after verifying the senders, you can make your payment. Faisal Abidi of RNF Technologies advises users to avoid paying via wire methods, gift cards, or cryptocurrencies, as that’s a scammer’s way of asking for money. Also, if you get trapped in a utility scam, let everyone know about it instead of keeping it a secret. Inform your utility service providers, report to your state attorney general, and share with your employees; it can help you from further damage.