Progress Energy Florida is warning customers to be wary of scam artists posing as company employees trying to collect on allegedly unpaid bills.
In recent incidents in St. Petersburg and Orlando, people claiming to be Progress Energy employees have phoned residential customers and told them their accounts were delinquent. The callers offered to pick up a check for the amount.
"Our customers should be aware that this is not how Progress Energy does business," Martha Barnwell, director of customer service for the St. Petersburg utility, said in a statement. "We do not collect any money at a customer's home."
There were four reports of the scam last week.
In all cases, the customers called Progress Energy to report the suspicious calls.
The state Attorney General's Office has been contacted while Progress conducts its own investigation, said Progress spokesman Aaron Perlut.
Callers suspecting fraud can contact Progress Energy toll-free at 1-800-700-8744.
