KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Kissimmee Utility Authority is warning its customer to watch out for bar code scams after a recent spike in residents being contacted by scammers, officials said in a statement on Tuesday.
The city’s utility service said more than 25 KUA customers were contacted by scammers via text or phone over a two-day period.
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Of those reports, two people bought into the scam, paying nearly $4,000 combined after being contacted via text by people claiming to be KUA. The scammers told the victims they needed to renew their services to prevent potential service interruption.
Scammers then texted a bar code to the customers and instructed them to go to a gas station or a dollar store to have it scanned, at which point they received a second bar code and were directed to a discount department store, according to a KUA spokesperson.
Utilities officials said these bar codes are often linked to a scammer’s bank or PayPal account and allow scammers access to the victim’s bank account.
KUA said it will never require customers to make a payment in this manner, adding customers can issue payments by check, credit card or debit card if they speak to a customer service representative over the phone at 407-933-9800 or in person.
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Customers can also make payments online or at any nearby Amscot…
