News Release > Utility Bill Scammers Continue to be a Concern

Utility Bill Scammers Continue to be a Concern

09/17/2017

CONTACT

David Freese
504-576-4132
dfreese@entergy.com 

Charlotte J. Cavell 
504-576-4132
ccavell@entergy.com

NEW ORLEANS – Scammers never stop in their unrelenting efforts to target unsuspecting customers, no matter what time of year it is. And Entergy reminds you to be wary, as scammers are getting more aggressive and finding new ways to do so.

One scheme occurs when the con artist calls and tells you that your electric bill payment is past due, and that your service will be disconnected if payment isn’t made. Although the scam can differ, frequently the scammer directs you to transfer funds electronically, sometimes through “MoneyPak,” “Green Dot” or another third-party card or transfer system. Most recently, scammers have asked customers to use Federal Reserve Bank routing numbers and their own Social Security numbers to pay their bills.

How can you protect yourself from falling victim to these scams?

• While you may pay your Entergy bill by phone or credit card, it is ONLY through BillMatrix, a third-party vendor Entergy uses for this purpose.
• You should never give your personal information to strangers. If a call sounds suspicious, hang up and call 1-800-ENTERGY (1-800-368-3749) to speak with an Entergy customer service representative.
• Also, you can manage your account and review account alert options to stay better informed by downloading the free Entergy smartphone app or visiting entergy.com to register for myAccount.
• You should only use authorized methods and legitimate banking information to pay your bill. We offer several convenient ways:
  • Pay online – For no additional charge, you may securely log in to myAccount at entergy.com to conveniently pay your bill online.
  • Pay by phone – You may pay your bill by credit card, debit card or electronic check by calling Entergy’s pay-by-phone provider, BillMatrix, at 1-800-584-1241. BillMatrix charges a $2.95 service fee.
  • Walk-in payment centers – Want to pay in person? You may pay your bill by cash, check or money order at an authorized Quick Payment Center in your community. A convenience fee may apply. You also may visit one of the two Entergy Customer Care Centers in New Orleans – 3400 Canal St. on the East Bank or 4021-J Behrman Hwy. on the West Bank. Our two walk-in care centers now accept debit and credit cards as well.
  • Bank draft – You can avoid late fees by having your payment automatically deducted from your checking account each month. Entergy will mail a monthly billing statement to you for your records, showing the bill amount and bank draft date.
  • Pay by mail – If you opted to continue receiving a paper bill, you can send a check by U.S. Mail to the remittance address shown on your bill.

If you believe you’re a victim of this scam, you should notify the proper authorities, such as the local police or the state attorney general’s office. If you believe your Entergy account has been affected, call 1-800-ENTERGY (1‑800‑368‑3749) to speak with a customer service representative.

Entergy Louisiana, LLC provides electric service to more than 1 million customers and natural gas service to nearly 93,000 customers in the greater Baton Rouge area. The company has operations in southern, central and northeastern Louisiana.

Entergy New Orleans, Inc. is an electric and gas utility that serves Louisiana’s Orleans Parish. The company provides electricity to more than 198,000 customers and natural gas to more than 106,000 customers. Both companies are subsidiaries of Entergy Corporation.

Entergy Corporation is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, including nearly 9,000 megawatts of nuclear power. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.9 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy has annual revenues of approximately $10.8 billion and nearly 13,000 employees.

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