Last Updated on February 2, 2023 7:32 pm
A scam involving using gift cards to pay for electric service is making the rounds.
Both the Watauga County Sheriff's Office and New River Light & Power are warning of the scam that involves submitting gift cards as payment or power would be cut off.
“WCSO would like the public to know about a recent scam targeting businesses in our area. A business owner came in the office today to report a scam using New River Light and Power as a cover to submit gift cards as payment or power would be cut off to the business. It is not in any companies policy to accept gift cards as payment. Do not engage in conversation with the scammers. Immediately hang up and call law enforcement.”, the Sheriff's Office stated.
New River Light & Power stated, “We have received several phone calls from customers this morning stating that they have been called and instructed to go to Walgreens or Circle K to pay overdue NRLP bills. This is a scam. The only ways to pay your NRLP bill are through our office or through the customer portal. NRLP will never call and instruct you to pay through a third party. Please call us at 828-264-3671 if you have any questions or concerns.”
