SCAM ALERT: Targeting KUB Customers

KUB has experienced an increase in customers reporting scam attempts. A call with a threat of shutoff within hours or that day, etc., WILL NOT come from KUB.   

KNOXVILLE, TN (Nov. 2020) – The scammers mimic KUB’s number on the caller ID, a recorded message claiming to be from a KUB representative threatens customers with utility disconnection unless a balance is paid in a short amount of time. The message urgently advises the listener to call another phone number to speak with a representative to resolve the issue, or to use an alternative (untraceable) method to make a payment or their service will be disconnected.

KUB wants to remind customers that KUB does not call to notify customers of pending disconnections. Additionally, if KUB does contact you KUB’s main phone number (865-524-2911) will not appear on your caller ID.

Although scammers are active year-round, the holiday season often brings an increase in scammer activity, and we encourage all customers to learn the signs that someone may be attempting to scam you.

Regardless of how scammers contacts you: a phone call that copies the KUB phone number (865-524-2911) on the caller ID, recorded message, text message, etc.,  or the contact method caller ID mimicking, or the target of the scam such as non-payment, service fees, etc., are red flags that the person contacting you might be attempting to scam you:

1. The caller threatens shutoff within a specific time frame – KUB gives final notices on bills and pink door hangers, not calls, for service termination. A call with a threat of shutoff within the hour, two hours, that day, etc., WILL NOT come from KUB.
2. The caller requests payment via MoneyPaks, Green Dot Cards, Money Grams, or other prepaid credit cards – KUB DOES NOT request payment in this form. Once you give the caller the number on any of these cards, the scammer then has access to the funds on the card. These are usually untraceable. This is free money to the scammer.
3. The caller may speak with a subtle accent or fragmented grammatical errors. Listen closely to the message.

When you detect any of the above – THIS IS A SCAM ATTEMPT! You should hang up and contact KUB at 865-524-2911. If possible, collect the name and call-back number of the caller, or the callback number given in the recording, to help bring an end to this scam.

If there are questions about your account status or if you feel you are the target of a scam, call KUB. If you feel you have been victimized, you should also contact your local law enforcement agency’s non-emergency number to report the scam attempt. For more information on how to identify a scam, please visit www.kub.org.