There's a new scam targeting customers of Atmos Energy. Officials with the company say the scammers are manipulating search engine results to trick people into clicking on fake websites that are similar to the site for Atmos Energy.
"Our customer service team had been receiving an increase in calls over the past month regarding suspicious emails and phone calls. We did a little bit more checking and found out that cyber-criminals were using search engine optimization techniques to actually place a fake website into a browser's top search results," said Kristin Goodspeed with Atmos. "It could say 'Atmos Energies' instead of 'Atmos Energy'. We just want to make sure people are aware. Even if they type in 'Atmos Energy', don't just click on the first link that pops up on your screen."
The goal of the scammers is to get customers' bank or credit card information.
Goodspeed says customers with questions can go to the company's actual web site or call their customer service center at 888-286-6700.
Company officials also say that Atmos Energy will never ask for payment using prepaid debit cards, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or unauthorized third-party payment or mobile application.
Atmos is sending emails to its customers with tips on how to recognize some common scams.
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