FAIRMONT — As a utility scam with a different approach circulates around the country, consumers should be careful and alert.

This issue was initially brought to the attention of the Public Service Commission of West Virginia by Mountaineer Gas Co., which had received a notice that the American Gas Association was sending to some of its partners. The state PSC decided that the release of this information shouldn’t be limited and that everybody should know about it, said Susan Small, communications director for the PSC.

The PSC recently put out a press release advising people to beware of this new utility scam.

“Apparently these people are going door to door. They’re posting fliers. They’re even using social media,” Small said.

She explained that these scammers are claiming there is a new federal program that will apply credits to residential consumers’ utility bills. In order to sign up and get these payment credits, people must provide their Social Security number and are given a bank routing number, which is fraudulent.

Small said the victims send funds to this routing number, thinking they are paying their utility bills, but the criminal is really getting their personal information and money.

So far, the PSC hasn’t heard of anyone in West Virginia being contacted for this scam, but it’s been seen in a number of other states, she said.

Unfortunately, consumer scams happen all the time and usually a few people fall prey before they find out the fraudulent activity is going on. The PSC wanted to make sure to get the word out now because it’s only a matter of time before this scam hits West Virginia, Small said.

She recommended that people never give out their Social Security number. She said utility company representatives always carry photo identification and don’t randomly ask customers for their Social Security number. If somebody shows up without an appointment claiming to be from a utility company, a consumer shouldn’t let that person inside their home or shouldn’t give them any information.

The resident should ask for the individual’s name and call the utility company to verify their position in the company and the purpose of their visit, Small said. But don’t call a phone number that the visitor may provide — instead, call the number listed in the phone book or on a previous bill.

“The other thing is that customers should only use authorized methods when paying their utility bills,” she said.

Small said this could be a bill insert that comes through the mail, an online payment or an authorized pay center.

Todd Meyers, spokesman for Mon Power, which is one of the utility companies under FirstEnergy, said people need to be watchful of these scams, even if specific incidences aren’t happening in the area.

“The first thing is, when someone comes to your door, you always have to make sure they are who they say they are,” he said.

Mon Power employees all carry photo ID, and if they don’t, a resident will immediately know they’re not associated with the utility. Linemen will have company vehicles clearly labeled with the Mon Power name, Meyers said.

He said people should always ask for photo ID when in doubt, and don’t let the person in the house. The resident can call Mon Power’s toll-free number, 800-686-0022, to verify their presence with a customer service representative.

“In the field, there shouldn’t be anybody coming up to your door asking for personal information, like Social Security numbers and bank routing information,” Meyers said.

Sometimes the utility may need personal information for electric hookups, but that information is always gathered when the customer contacts the utility, he said.

“A common scam is for a person to say, ‘I’m from the electric utility and I’m here to make sure the electric equipment inside your house is safe and I’m going to inspect the connections,’” Meyers said.

In this scam, criminals are just trying to gain entrance into the home, he said. If someone unfamiliar just shows up on the front porch without an appointment, then something’s wrong.

Mon Power does send workers out to trim trees. But if a consumer is approached by a so-called “employee” asking for money to cut their trees, that is bogus, Meyers said.

He said people should keep in mind that if an offer sounds too good to be true and is talking about free money, then it’s probably a scam. Also, consumers should walk away from any offer that is pressuring them to make a decision immediately.

“You’ve got to be skeptical, take the time to research it and double and triple check,” Meyers said.

Chuck Penn, media relations manager for Dominion Hope, echoed the tips provided by the PSC and Mon Power.

“Use common sense when approached by anyone in a door-to-door scenario,” he said.

All Dominion Hope service workers are required to always carry picture ID with them. Customers can find the company’s contact information on their bills and in the phone book, and can call to make sure the service person is a Dominion employee, Penn said.

“The only instance in which we would require proprietary information, such as a Social Security number, is in processing a new service request and that would take place with the prospective customer contacting us, not Dominion Hope contacting them,” he said. “Simply, if there’s any doubt about the person knocking on your door, ask for identification and/or contact Dominion Hope.”

Email Jessica Borders at jborders@timeswv.com.