Residents beware: Phone offer of HEAP utility help is scam

YOUNGSTOWN

Residents of Mahoning County and surrounding counties who receive assistance from the Home Energy Assistance Program are warned that fraudulent HEAP calls are being made in the area.

HEAP does not require bank information. The Mahoning Youngstown Community Action Partnership and the Ohio Development Services Agency never ask for any information about their clients’ financial institution because the energy assistance is not directly paid to the bank, but rather eligible households receive a credit, said Vesna Vukasinovich, MYCAP’s director of Home Energy Services.

Reports indicate that the calls are coming from a 1-800 number and in all cases the caller states “HEAP” was awarded extra money to assist with customers because of the recent cold snap.

Residents are urged not to provide personal information, and to report the call to MYCAP at 330-747-7921, ext. 1734.