Charlotte, North Carolina, January 27, 2026
Duke Energy has issued an urgent warning to customers in North and South Carolina regarding a phishing scam. Fraudulent text messages, posing as official communication, claim there will be power outages due to freezing conditions and link to malicious sites. Utility officials stress these are not legitimate and urge recipients to verify before engaging. Customers are advised to report suspicious texts and contact Duke Energy directly for reliable information.
Charlotte, North Carolina – Urgent Warning Issued for Duke Energy Customers Regarding Power Outage Text Scam
Duke Energy customers across its service areas, particularly in North Carolina and South Carolina, are being urged to exercise extreme caution following a surge in fraudulent text messages falsely claiming to be from the utility company. These deceptive messages, which began circulating widely on Monday, January 26, 2026, warn of scheduled rolling power outages due to recent freezing conditions and direct recipients to click on malicious links for more details. Utility officials emphatically state that these texts are not legitimate and are a clear attempt by scammers to compromise personal information or install malware.
Details of the Deceptive Messages
The fraudulent texts mimic official communication, often stating, “From Duke Energy. ‘Scheduled Rolling Power Outages Effective 11PM – By Zip Codes and Time. Will remain in effect to January 27th due to freeze condition. Click below for map and details…'”. These messages frequently include a link designed to phish for sensitive customer data or to deploy harmful software onto devices.
Duke Energy has confirmed that these messages did not originate from the company. Official communications regarding power outages, account status, or any service-related information are delivered through verified channels. Customers are strongly advised not to click on any links provided in suspicious texts, download attachments, or respond to these messages.
Immediate Actions for Recipients
If you receive a text message concerning power outages that appears to be from Duke Energy but seems suspicious, the primary recommendation is to avoid engaging with it. Do not click on any links or attempt to reply to the sender. Instead, recipients should immediately report the message as spam or junk and delete it from their device. For any concerns about power outages or account information, customers should directly contact Duke Energy using the official phone number listed on their bill or visit the company’s authentic website.
Scammers Exploiting Weather Conditions
The timing of these scam texts is particularly insidious, as scammers are known to exploit periods of vulnerability, such as severe weather events leading to actual power disruptions. The recent freezing conditions and subsequent power outages in parts of the Carolinas have created an opportune environment for these fraudulent schemes. The Better Business Bureau of Eastern Carolinas has also issued warnings about opportunistic scammers who leverage such situations by posing as utility providers, using a sense of urgency to pressure individuals into clicking malicious links or divulging personal information.
Broader Context of Utility Scams
Utility scams are a persistent and evolving threat that targets consumers nationwide. These fraudulent attempts often prey on panic and convenience, employing various tactics including phone calls, text messages, emails, and even door-to-door solicitations. Scammers frequently try to create a sense of urgency, threatening immediate service disconnection unless an immediate payment is made. They may request payment through untraceable methods such as prepaid debit cards, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, which are red flags that indicate a scam.
To enhance their deception, fraudsters may use sophisticated methods like cloning company logos, purchasing online advertisements, and even employing artificial intelligence to mimic voices. Their objective is to sound credible enough to prompt hasty action from unsuspecting individuals.
Protection and Prevention
To protect against these scams, a foundational principle is skepticism. Always verify any unexpected communication claiming to be from a utility company. Remember that legitimate utility companies, including Duke Energy, will not typically demand immediate payment over the phone using unconventional methods. They also do not typically notify customers of power outages through texts that require clicking an unverified link for details. All official updates regarding grid conditions, outages, or account information will be shared through established, secure company communication channels.
Organizations like Utilities United Against Scams (UUAS), an international consortium of utilities, are dedicated to raising awareness about the evolving tactics used by scammers. These groups advocate for consumers to “Slow Down, Verify, Stop the Scam,” emphasizing the importance of taking time to assess a situation, verifying information through official channels, and stopping interactions with potential fraudsters.
For accurate information or to report suspicious activity, customers should always refer to the contact information provided on their official utility bills or Duke Energy’s validated website and customer service numbers. If a situation feels like an emergency, such as a live wire or a gas leak, individuals should contact emergency services before anything else.
Frequently Asked Questions About Utility Scams
What is the current Duke Energy scam text message?
The current Duke Energy scam involves text messages falsely claiming “Scheduled Rolling Power Outages Effective 11PM – By Zip Codes and Time. Will remain in effect to January 27th due to freeze condition. Click below for map and details…” and includes a phishing link.
When did Duke Energy issue this warning?
Duke Energy issued a warning about this scam text message on Monday, January 26, 2026.
What should I do if I receive a suspicious text from Duke Energy?
If you receive a suspicious text, do not click on any links, do not download attachments, and do not respond to the message. Report it as spam or junk and then delete it. Contact Duke Energy directly using their official contact information for any inquiries.
How do legitimate utility companies communicate about outages or billing?
Legitimate utility companies communicate through their official communication channels. They do not typically demand immediate payment over the phone using untraceable methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency, nor do they send texts with unverified links for critical information like power outages.
What areas are affected by this particular scam?
This scam is primarily targeting Duke Energy customers across its service areas, with specific warnings issued for customers in North Carolina and South Carolina.
Key Features of the Duke Energy Text Scam
| Feature | Description | Geographical Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Scam Type | Fraudulent text messages (phishing) | Multi-State Regional (Duke Energy Service Areas) |
| Impersonated Entity | Duke Energy | Multi-State Regional (Duke Energy Service Areas) |
| Date of Latest Warning | Monday, January 26, 2026 | Multi-State Regional (Duke Energy Service Areas) |
| Scam Message Content | Claims of “Scheduled Rolling Power Outages Effective 11PM – By Zip Codes and Time. Will remain in effect to January 27th due to freeze condition. Click below for map and details…” | Multi-State Regional (Duke Energy Service Areas) |
| Call to Action | Click a malicious link for more information | Multi-State Regional (Duke Energy Service Areas) |
| Risk to Customers | Compromise of personal information, malware installation | Multi-State Regional (Duke Energy Service Areas) |
| Official Advice | Do not click links, do not respond, report as spam, delete, contact Duke Energy directly via official channels. | Multi-State Regional (Duke Energy Service Areas) |
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