Over 5,600 scam reports have been recorded in 2025 across Duke Energy’s service areas, with nearly 3,000 of those reported in the Carolinas through October. In response to ongoing scam threats, Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas, and the Better Business Bureau are collaborating with Utilities United Against Scams (UUAS) for the 10th annual Utility Scam Awareness Day on November 19.
The campaign encourages customers to “Slow Down. Verify. Stop the Scam.” Customers are urged to pause if a payment request seems urgent or suspicious and always use official contact information from their bills when verifying requests. Suspicious contacts should be reported to utilities and law enforcement. Reporting tools such as Duke Energy’s Scam Reporting Tool, Scams & Fraud – Piedmont Natural Gas, and the Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker are available for this purpose.
Scammers often demand immediate payment or threaten service disconnection—tactics that Duke Energy states it will never employ. The company also clarifies that it does not accept prepaid cards or cryptocurrency as payment methods. Additional information about identifying scams can be found at Scams & Fraud – Duke Energy or through the Better Business Bureau’s resources.
Jessica Bishop, senior vice president of Customer Services Operations at Duke Energy, stated: “Scammers change scripts; our guidance doesn’t: We don’t threaten instant shutoff, and we don’t dictate how you pay. If you hear either, stop and verify with us directly.”
Brian Weisker, senior vice president and president of Piedmont Natural Gas at Duke Energy, added: “Our promise is simple: clear natural gas bills, secure payment channels, and support when something feels off. We urge everyone to stay vigilant, verify before you pay, and contact us right away whenever concerns arise.”
Juliana O’Rork of the Better Business Bureau noted: “Scammers are willing to try anything to steal your money and/or your identity. Pressure, secrecy and odd payment methods are the tells. At BBB, we strive to provide consumers and businesses with as much information as possible about scams that have been reported to us via BBB Scam Tracker.”
Utilities United Against Scams is a group of more than 150 utilities in North America working together by sharing data and best practices for customer protection.
Duke Energy serves 8.6 million electric customers across six states in the U.S., including North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. The company also provides natural gas services in several states through subsidiaries like Piedmont Natural Gas.
The Better Business Bureau offers business profiles on millions of companies each year through its website BBB.org.
More details on these efforts can be found on duke-energy.com and piedmontng.com.
