March 2014

To our Valued Commercial Customers,

Recently, customers alerted MLGW to two types of scams targeting Memphis area businesses. One scam involves phone calls from scammers seeking to steal funds through false claims of pending MLGW cutoffs unless immediate payment was made via reloadable credit cards. The second scam involves a "Gas Usage Statement" e−mail, disguised as a bill notification, which contains bogus information and a link to a website that will load malware on your computer to steal your information.

Customers should be wary of unsolicited phone calls, faxes and emails claiming to be from MLGW. Since  scammers are using increasingly sophisticated methods, please ensure your employees−−particularly night and weekend staff−−are on the alert for these high−pressure fraud tactics.

FACTS TO HELP YOU AVOID THESE SCAMS:

Official MLGW bill notification e−mails are sent only to customers who have registered for My Account and provided an email address. These legitimate e−mails will contain the name on your MLGW account, a partially hidden account number and specifics about how to reach MLGW customer service. When in doubt, type the URL (ww.mlgw.com) directly into your browser rather than following an e−mailed link.

MLGW does not disconnect services for non−payment on weekends. MLGW's Commercial Resource Center is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. − 5 p.m. , and is closed on weekends. Customers can check their account status−−including any past due amount−−by logging into My Account at www.mlgw.com. (You may wish to have a few key employees familiar with your My Account login to confirm information.)

Commercial and industrial customers cannot pay MLGW bills by credit card. The only pay−by−phone method offered by MLGW is for inbound customer calls. Customers wishing to use this service must call 1−866−315−0277; MLGW does not call customers soliciting phone payments.

MLGW will advise customers on payment methods and locations, including our authorized pay agents, listed at http://www.mlgw.com/residential/payingyourbill. MLGW uses the following methods to alert commercial and industrial customers of pending service disconnection: mailed cut−off notices, automated phone calls, text alerts (if enrolled) and, sometimes, an MLGW employee may call the business phone number associated with the account as a courtesy−−but MLGW never directs customers to make payments through a specific method.

If you suspect your business or organization has been targeted by scammers, gather as many details as possible and share them with law enforcement (Memphis Police Department at 901−545−2677 and Shelby County Sheriff's Office at 901−222−5600). You are also encouraged to send details to MLGW, so we can keep customers aware of fraudulent activities. Visit www.mlgw.com/energyedge to find the latest MLGW newsletter for commercial customers.
 

Thank you,

MLGW Commercial Resource Center