MONROEVILLE, Pa. — Jenna Karas, whose family owns Lokay Lanes in Monroeville, told Channel 11 News that she feared her family’s business was going to lose out on money Monday after getting a call from someone who claimed to work for Duquesne Light.
“(The person said) we had (to make) a payment right away, or they were coming out in 30 to 40 minutes to shut all the lights off,” she said.
Soon, though, she learned it was a scam.
Karas said at first she panicked because bowling leagues were arriving in a matter of hours and she didn't want to lose out on a day’s worth of business.
Her father looked up the Duquesne Light account and said the bill was paid.
Karas called the 800 number back and told the person they owned nothing.
“He said, ‘No, you need to make the payment or we'll be out in 40 minutes,’” Karas said. “It had to be done right away, and it had to be done in cash.”
She said she eventually hung up, realizing something didn't seem right, and soon learned she was being scammed.
“I was, like, floored. I was, like, I can't believe I’m being scammed,” Karas said.
Channel 11 tried calling the number, but could only leave a message.
A spokesperson for Duquesne Light said the company has received several calls from customers about the scam. The spokesperson said the company never calls customers on the day power is scheduled to be shut off if a bill hasn’t been paid and added that a customer would never be asked to pay with a prepaid debit card.
“Just be careful when people call and say they’re one company and they're really not,” Karas said.