Is the Duke Energy Disconnection Scam real or a scam?

This is a confirmed scam. Do not click any links, do not provide personal information, and do not send money. This is a voice phishing scam that impersonates Duke Energy.

What should I do if I received the Duke Energy Disconnection Scam?

Do not respond or click any links. Block the sender, report the message as spam, and delete it. If it came via text message, forward it to 7726 (SPAM).

What if I already fell for the Duke Energy Disconnection Scam?

Change your passwords immediately, contact your bank if you shared financial information, place a fraud alert on your credit, and file a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

How do I report the Duke Energy Disconnection Scam?

Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov, and your local law enforcement. If it impersonated a specific company, report it to that company as well.

Duke Energy Disconnection Scam: Is It a Scam?

Medium Prevalence Type: Voice Phishing Impersonates: Duke Energy

Yes, this is a scam. Do not click any links or provide personal information.

Scammers call or text pretending to be Duke Energy, threatening to disconnect your electricity within the hour unless you make an immediate payment, usually via gift cards or wire transfer. This scam preys on the fear of losing power.

How This Scam Works

You receive a phone call from someone claiming to be a Duke Energy representative. They say your account is severely past due and a technician is on the way to disconnect your service within 30 to 60 minutes. To avoid disconnection, they demand immediate payment via prepaid debit cards, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. They may spoof the caller ID to show Duke Energy's real number. The caller is aggressive and may keep you on the phone to prevent you from verifying the claim.

Red Flags to Watch For

Threat of disconnection within minutes or hours
Demand for payment via gift cards, prepaid cards, or cryptocurrency
Caller refuses to let you hang up and verify the claim
Duke Energy sends multiple written notices before disconnection
Caller asks you to stay on the line while making payment

Example Scam Messages

Phone call: 'This is the collections department at Duke Energy. Your account is past due and a technician has been dispatched to disconnect your power within the next 45 minutes. To prevent disconnection, you need to make a payment of $487.32 right now. We can accept payment by prepaid Visa card or Apple gift card.' --- Text: DUKE ENERGY: Your power will be disconnected today due to non-payment. Call 1-844-555-0137 immediately to make payment and avoid shutoff.

What to Do If You Received This

Hang up immediately
Call Duke Energy at the number on your bill or their website
Duke Energy will never demand gift card payments
Duke Energy sends written notices before any disconnection
Do not be pressured by urgency tactics

What to Do If You Fell For It

Contact your bank or the gift card issuer immediately
File a police report
Call Duke Energy to verify your actual account status
Report the scam to Duke Energy at duke-energy.com
Document everything including phone numbers and amounts paid

How to Report This Scam

Report to Duke Energy at duke-energy.com/scams
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
File a complaint with FBI IC3 at ic3.gov
Report to your state utility commission

Last updated: February 10, 2026

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