Warning: Scammers Use AI-Generated Voices to Impersonate FPL and Steal Your Money
In 239, scammers are using AI voices to impersonate FPL and steal money. Learn to recognize the signs and how to protect yourself from these calls.
Andres Paz
In southwestern Florida, including Fort Myers and the 239 area, an increase in scams has been detected where criminals use artificial intelligence (AI) to imitate the voice of Florida Power & Light (FPL) representatives. Their goal: pressure customers into making immediate payments or providing personal information.
Shelley Ragsdale, an FPL representative, explained that scammers are using computer-generated voices that sound very real: “We are seeing an increase in this type of scam where they use very realistic voices to impersonate an FPL representative. These calls are designed to pressure customers into making payments or sharing personal information.”
Fort Myers residents have already received this type of call that appears to come from FPL, but in reality, no legitimate person is on the other end of the line. Some customers, like Amaya, have decided to protect themselves by not answering or returning suspicious calls: “I don’t answer calls or return calls like that, unless I know who it is or have legitimate business emails.” Another resident, Marsheena Myrie, recommends: “If you receive a call that sounds strange, the next thing you should do is call the company yourself.”
The most important thing: FPL will never call you to demand an immediate payment or threaten to disconnect your service instantly. “Whenever something feels strange or you feel pressured, hang up. Call FPL to verify,” said Ragsdale. If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from FPL and demanding immediate payment or personal information, it is almost certainly a scam.
How to Protect Yourself from FPL Impersonation Scams
By phone: Do not trust caller ID: scammers can make it appear as “FPL” or an official-looking number. Do not make payments or share personal data during a call you did not initiate. Hang up and call the number on your FPL bill or 800-697-5223 directly.
By email or text message: Delete any suspicious message asking for a payment or sharing personal data. Do not click on links or download attachments from dubious emails or texts. To verify, visit FPL’s official website directly by typing the address into your browser or using the official app.
Online: Do not search for FPL numbers on Google or other search engines to make payments or call: there may be fake ads or pages. Always use the number from your bill or FPL’s official website/app.
At your home (door-to-door): FPL does not send collectors to your home without official identification. If someone arrives at your door without FPL identification and wants to collect money or pressures you to hire something, close the door and call the police.
Prepaid cards and unusual payment methods: FPL will never ask you to pay with prepaid cards, gift cards, Zelle, or other unauthorized methods. Use only the official payment channels indicated on your bill or FPL’s website/app.
Threats of immediate disconnection: If they call saying they will cut the power in minutes if you don’t pay immediately, hang up. Call your bill’s official number to confirm your account status.
What to do if you think you have been a victim of a scam
If you believe you have been targeted by fraud or identity theft:
- Contact local police and file a report.
- Use your official bill’s number to contact FPL and report what happened.
- For phone or digital scams, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Florida consumer protection agency.
At Latinos239, we encourage you to share this information with your family, neighbors, and especially with seniors, who are often frequent targets of these scams. As technology advances, so do the scams; staying informed is the best defense.
Photos: FPL
