BBB Warns of a New Scam Working the Area

Carmen Million, President of the Lake Charles Better Business Bureau, says that there is a new scam working in our area and in parts of Texas. the scam centers around your energy bill and could potentially cost you a lot of money you can't get back.

According to Million, the scammer will call your home or business and identify himself as Edwin Lopez. the caller will then proceed to tell you that you have to get a new electric meter right away or your power will be turned off within 72 hours.

Now here's the tip-off that the whole thing is a scam. Lopez (or whatever name he is using) will tell you that the bill can only be paid with a prepaid debit card. That prepaid debit card is the key to the whole scam. Why a prepaid debit card, you ask. Well according to Million

The cards are difficult to trace, and you do not need photo identification to collect or spend the money. You should always treat a prepaid debit card like cash and remember that transactions cannot be reversed."

If you find yourself on the receiving end of such a call, hang up and call the service number on your electric bill. If there really is a problem, you'll be dealing with someone who actually works for the energy company.

Never agree to pay with a prepaid card without checking out the credentials of the caller.