Lakeland is warning the public following an increase in reported scam calls over the past few months.
According to Jen Hurlbut, Lakeland’s director of sales and marketing, scammers are contacting people and posing as an employee of Lakeland Networks or Lakeland Power.
“The nature of the scams varies considerably and is related to things like bill payments or equipment in an attempt to obtain personal info and/or money,” she said.
Hurlbut said the company wants to reassure people that the incidents are not the result of a security breach or compromise of Lakeland Networks’ systems. Instead, the scammers are falsely presenting themselves as Lakeland employees in an attempt to gain residents’ trust.
“The one challenge it will pose is that in the near future and ongoing, we will be giving some customers a call to discuss potential equipment replacement – these scams will make it a harder process as people will be suspect, as they should be,” she said.
As a result, Hurlbut said people should ask for the representative’s full name before sharing any sensitive information. She recommends hanging up and calling the company or institution back using a publicly listed phone number, then asking to speak with the representative directly.
She also urged people to be skeptical of calls that create a sense of urgency or pressure. Scammers may claim an account will be closed, a financial penalty will be issued, or a loved one is in trouble and needs immediate help. Hurlbut said legitimate organizations, including Lakeland, rarely pressure people into making immediate decisions or payments.
She advised people to take a step back, independently verify the request and never let fear or urgency drive their actions.
“Scams will continue to evolve, with fraudsters using phone calls, text messages, emails, social media, and even artificial intelligence to make their schemes appear legitimate,” she said. “By knowing the warning signs and taking a few simple precautions, you can help protect yourself and your loved ones from becoming victims.”
