MOBILE, Alabama — Alabama Power is alerting customers across its South Alabama service area, including Mobile and Baldwin counties, to a new scam that arrives by text message rather than the usual phone call.
A new twist on an old scam
According to a company spokesperson, the fraudulent text tells recipients a payment is due immediately and directs them to send money through a legitimate-sounding payment service. The company that processes the payments referenced in the scam is a real business, the spokesperson said, but Alabama Power itself does not offer a system that lets customers pay by simply replying to a text message.
Once money is sent through the scheme, it is nearly impossible to recover, the spokesperson said, since the reference number used in the scam could be tied to an account anywhere, including overseas. Company officials said this appears to be the first time they have seen the scam delivered by text rather than by phone, and they expect that method to become more common as more customers grow comfortable paying routine bills from their phones.
What local customers should watch for
Alabama Power says it will never call or text customers asking for bank account information or a credit card number. Customers in Mobile, Baldwin and surrounding counties who receive a suspicious text asking for immediate payment are urged not to respond or click any links, and instead to contact the company directly through its customer service line to check the real status of their account.
Utility scams tend to spike periodically across the region, often timed around bill due dates or weather events when customers may be anxious about service interruptions. Local law enforcement agencies in South Alabama have previously urged residents to be skeptical of unsolicited payment requests, whether they arrive by phone, text or email, and to verify any request directly with the utility before sending money.
Alabama Power says it continues to monitor for new versions of the scam and will keep customers updated if the tactics change again.