Credit Card Fraud Hits Gulf Power 

Gulf Power is asking its customers to beware of people impersonating utility company employees. Recent cases have cropped up in Okaloosa County , where someone impersonating a Gulf Power employee contacts a customer by telephone. The caller tells the victim that their electric bill is past due and threatens to cut off their electricity if the customer does not provide a credit card payment immediately. The perpetrator then uses the card numbers to make fraudulent purchases. To prevent this from happening to you, please be aware of the following:

•  Gulf Power representatives will never ask a customer for money, when they visit a residence.

•  Gulf Power employees will never call a customer at home seeking any personal information including credit card numbers.

•  All Gulf Power representatives carry badges with picture identification that includes the employee's name and the company's name and logo.

•  If you have any questions on the identity of anyone representing Gulf Power, you should call 1-800-225-5797.

If you have been a victim of this type of scheme or have any information about possible suspects, please call the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office at 850-983-1100. If you would like further information on Gulf Power, please visit their website at www.gulfpower.com.