Jackson Energy Authority is warning customers about a fraudulent email that pretends to come from EPlus Broadband and asks people to click a link and enter payment information, WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News reported.
The utility said Wednesday it is aware of the messages. Officials confirmed the emails are not legitimate and urged customers not to click any links and not to share sensitive details.
JEA said it will never ask for passwords, account numbers or personal information through unsolicited emails or text messages. NBC 39, which also reported the warning, described the messages as a phishing attempt aimed at EPlus Broadband users and likewise said customers should not click the link or give personal information.
Anyone who receives a suspicious message, or who is unsure whether a notice is real, should reach the utility through the official customer service channels printed on a current bill or on materials the authority has already provided, rather than through a link in an unexpected email.
The reports did not say how many customers received the message or whether anyone had already entered payment information. They also did not name a specific sender on the fake emails.
The warning is a reminder that billing and account requests from a local utility should be checked against known, official contacts before any information is entered online.
Sources: WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News; NBC 39