RFP Staff
♦ 5 star restaurant “Downtown Bangkok”, in struggling Downtown Salisbury, was clipped $800 by a scammer using the “Duke Power New Meter Scam” Thursday. This scam is making the rounds in Salisbury according to police sources.
Downtown Bangkok’s owner Kongkeo Phomsaly received a phone call Thursday from a scammer claiming they were Duke Power and that the power company recently installed a new meter. The “representative” informed Phomsaly that a discrepancy was uncovered and that the owner was $800 in arrears to Duke Power. If payment was not immediately forthcoming, Downtown Bangkok would face an immediate shutoff.
All ears now, Phomsaly was instructed to purchase gift cards totaling $800 and call back and provide the caller with those card numbers. When Phomsaly completed the call, the owner called an alternate number for Duke Power where Phomsaly was informed that a new meter was installed and it changed the amount due in the billing.
Anxious to avoid a shutoff, Phomsaly purchased $800 worth of gift cards at a nearby supermarket, reconnected with the number the scammer provided, and provided payment.
Afterwards Phomsaly dialed up the actual Duke Power number to find out if the payment was received and Downtown Bangkok would not face a shutoff. The owner was shocked to learn the restaurant was the victim of an area-wide scam.
If you have any information concerning the “Duke Power New Meter Scam” or were a victim, call the Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-(866)-639-5245.
