Better Business Bureau warns about Obama utility scams

The San Diego Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning consumers about an identity theft scam involving a stranger promising that President Obama will pay your utility bill, mortgage and other bills only after your Social Security and bank account information is disclosed to process the paperwork.

Victims have reportedly told consumer protection agencies in various U.S. cities that their friends shared about a new government assistance program and to call a toll-free phone number. They were given routing and account numbers, which they later learned were bogus after receiving past-due notices from a utility company’s collections department.

 “Scammers will use any incentive they think their victims will want to hear,” said Sheryl Bilbrey, San Diego BBB president/CEO. “Timely news topics like a stimulus bill, federal entitlements or rising utility rates will make the phony pitch sound even more realistic.”

The BBB said personal financial information should never been revealed to strangers unless you have initiated the contact and feel confident with whom you are speaking. For more consumer protection tips, visit www.sandiego.bbb.org.