KCP&L warns customers of new scam

Nevada Daliy Mail

Kansas City Power and Light has issued a warning to customers of scammers who are trying to illegally obtain the Social Security information of utility customers in Kansas and Missouri.

The scam claims President Obama is applying payments or credits of up to $1,500 to customer utility bills. To receive the credit, customers are asked to make immediate payment using a bank routing number supplied by the scammers, and the number appearing on the back of their Social Security cards as the bank account number. Both the tax credit and the bank routing number are fraudulent and cannot be used to pay a utility bill.

According to the reports, scammers have visited customer homes, posted fliers and used social media and texting to send this false message.

"We protect our customers' personal account information and recommend only KCP&L-authorized payment methods," said Jim Alberts, vice president of customer services.

KCP&L advises customers never to give their credit card, debit card, Social Security, ATM, checking or saving account numbers to anyone who comes to their home, calls, texts or sends an e-mail requesting this information.

Customers should also never allow anyone into their home to check electrical wiring, unless an appointment has been scheduled and the technician has proper KCP&L identification.

Anyone who feels suspicious of anyone collecting information on KCP&L's behalf should call the KCP&L Customer Contact Center at (888) 471-5275, prior to supplying personal or payment information.