News Summary
Residents in the ArkLaTex area are being warned about scams targeting Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) customers. Fraudsters are calling, claiming eligibility for refunds and requesting sensitive financial information. SWEPCO confirms these calls are fraudulent, urging customers to verify their status via official channels. Additionally, Shreveport police are warning of the ‘One Ring’ phone scam, which can incur charges when returned. Residents are advised to remain vigilant against various scams impersonating law enforcement and businesses, to protect personal information.
Shreveport – Residents in the ArkLaTex region are being warned about a series of scams specifically targeting customers of Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO). The company has reported that fraudsters are calling customers, claiming they are eligible for a refund. These scammers are requesting bank account information in order to process the so-called “payment.”
SWEPCO has confirmed that these calls are fraudulent and urges customers to be vigilant. The company emphasizes that it will never contact customers to demand immediate payment or to request sensitive financial information. If customers receive suspicious calls, emails, or in-person visits, they are advised to hang up, delete the email, or refuse to engage with the caller. To confirm their account status safely, customers can use the SWEPCO app, visit the official SWEPCO website, or call the customer service number directly at 1-888-216-3523.
In addition to the SWEPCO scams, the Shreveport police department is also alerting residents about an international phone scam known as the “One Ring” scam. This scam involves receiving a phone call that rings only once before disconnecting. Unsuspecting recipients may assume the calls are domestic, but they often originate from international numbers, which can result in hefty charges if calls are returned.
The police have noted that area codes such as “649” (Turks and Caicos) and “809” (Dominican Republic) are frequently associated with these scams. Victims may find voicemails urging them to call back for a prize or to check on a relative, which increases the likelihood of returning the call. Police strongly recommend avoiding callbacks to unknown numbers and checking area codes to discern potential international calls. Customers can also talk to their phone carriers about blocking outgoing international calls to prevent this issue in the future.
If individuals have inadvertently fallen victim to this scam, they are encouraged to contact their phone service provider to dispute any charges incurred as a result.
Another alarming trend involves scammers impersonating police officers, using technologies that allow them to disguise their phone numbers so that they appear to be calling from the Shreveport Police Department. The department has confirmed that it will never solicit money or banking information over the phone. Residents are warned not to disclose any personal or financial information to anyone claiming to be from law enforcement.
Concerns or inquiries about impersonation calls can be directed to the Shreveport Police Department at (318) 673-7300.
Other Common Scams
In addition to these ongoing scams, residents should be on the lookout for various other common schemes. These include deceptive messages related to shipping services, banking alerts, and prize notifications. Often, scammers will use text messages claiming delivery failures from reputable shipping companies, misleading recipients into clicking on links to resolve nonexistent issues.
Similarly, individuals may receive alerts from fake banks, informing them of supposed account problems or offering fake rewards, which typically require upfront payments or personal information. Recipients are advised to never respond to or engage with these scam texts, call any included numbers, or click any links.
To report scam texts, residents can forward the message to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) by texting SPAM (7726) or report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
As scams continue to proliferate, awareness and vigilance remain crucial for protecting personal information and finances. Residents should stay informed about potential scams and take proactive steps to minimize risks.
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Additional Resources
- KTBS: Scammers Target SWEPCO Customers
- Wikipedia: Scams
- KTAL: Shreveport Police Warn of Phone Scam
- Google Search: Scams Phone Fraud
- Shreveport Bossier Advocate: AARP Town Hall on Scams
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fraud
- WGNO: Shreveport Police Warn of Phone Scam
- Google News: Scam Alerts
Author: STAFF HERE SHREVEPORT WRITER
The SHREVEPORT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREShreveport.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mudbug Madness Festival, Red River Revel Arts Festival, and Independence Bowl. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Shreveport-Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Shreveport Regional Arts Council, plus leading businesses in gaming, healthcare, and energy that power the local economy such as Horseshoe Casino, Ochsner LSU Health, and Atmos Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBatonRouge.com and HERENewOrleans.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
