Utility Bill Scam Hits Dairy Queen in Fairfax: Police

FAIRFAX, VA — Businesses aren't immune from the past-due-electric-bill scam, and that's what happened Wednesday at the Dairy Queen at 4076 Jermantown Road, according to Fairfax Police.

Shortly before noon Thursday, the store's owner reported to police he suspected he'd been duped after getting a call the previous day from a woman claiming to be with the power company. She told him the store was behind on its electric bill and power would be shut off if he didn't immediately pay the balance.

So, as instructed, he obtained a money card and called back with the number. He apparently slept on the incident, and then smelled a rat.

The scam is hardly a new thing, as Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring pointed out last year in a warning to citizens:

• If a customer is suspicious, they are encouraged to collect information from the scammer such as his/her name, any phone numbers or other details before hanging up and then reporting to local law enforcement. Never share any personal or financial information with a caller you do not know.
• If you feel that your personal safety or security is threatened, hang up and call 911.
• Stay calm. Scammers may contact consumers or businesses during a hectic or busy time to try to catch them off guard.
• Dominion Virginia Power and other electric companies will never demand payment over the phone or require payment on a pre-paid debit card. Dominion Virginia Power does not direct customers to make payment at any of their offices. Designated payment centers can be found here.
• Dominion customers should always call 866-DOM-HELP to verify that the company is attempting to reach them before releasing any personal information. If a customer is behind on his/her bill, Dominion Virginia Power typically sets up a payment plan mutually agreed upon and provides a customer with multiple notifications in writing before power is scheduled to be disconnected.

Also included in the daily Fairfax crime report:

Identity Theft

16-17247
10400 Block of Stratford Avenue – On September 29 at 12:54 PM the residents reported that unknown person(s) had opened multiple credit card accounts in their names.

Obstruction of Justice Arrest
16-17265
9800 Block of Fairfax Square – On September 29 at 8:42 PM an officer investigating a traffic crash determined that a female subject who actually was driving one of the involved vehicles was providing false information identifying a male subject as the driver. Wenqin Xu, 22, of 9828 Fairfax Square, was charged with obstruction of justice and released on a summons.

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