The Shadow
Chester, Va. (VR) – In recognition of Cybersecurity Awareness Month this October, Columbia Gas of Virginia is encouraging its customers to take proactive steps to protect themselves and stay cyber-safe.
“Cybersecurity is a vital part of our responsibility to our customers. We invest in ongoing employee education and training, use advanced encryption and follow strict security protocols to keep data safe,” said Columbia Gas of Virginia President and Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Montague. “As a first line of defense, we encourage our customers to take proactive steps to protect their sensitive data and stay alert for phony calls, emails and text messages. These are common methods cyber criminals use to gain unauthorized access to personal information.”
Columbia Gas of Virginia shares these tips for customers to stay cyber-safe when they access their accounts or interact via our website, mobile app, phone call or chat:
- Password security: Change your website password often and don’t re-use old ones. Consider using a password manager instead of re-using passwords on multiple sites.
- Check the lock: Make sure you’re logging into the correct website and look for a lock icon in the URL in the address bar: it should appear to the left of the URL. This indicates that data exchanged between your computer and our server is encrypted.
- Think before you: Don’t click on links from unsolicited emails or emails. If you’re able to see where a link is taking you before clicking on it, do so. If you’re suspicious of a link, don’t click on it.
- Keep software updated (for mobile app and website): Ensure your browser and operating systems are updated with the most recent software versions.
- When calling our Customer Care phone line and using the chat feature, Columbia Gas representatives:
- Will not ask for your password over the phone or through live chat; and
- Will not ask for your credit card number through live chat.
- If you’re being asked questions that seem suspicious, we encourage you to disconnect the call completely and call our number as it appears on your website or bill to ensure you’re speaking to an authorized representative.
- Our Customer Care phone number is 800-543-8911, which operates Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST.
- Never share private, sensitive data: Don’t provide your account number, social security number and/or banking information to unconfirmed sources. We only ask for a social security number when establishing new service or verifying a customer’s identity.
- Verify your account status: Cyber criminals may insist that your account is past due, even when your payments are up to date. You can verify your account status by logging into your Columbia Gas account.
For more information, visit our website at www.columbiagasva.com/safety/
About Columbia Gas of Virginia
Columbia Gas of Virginia delivers clean, affordable and efficient natural gas to approximately 290,000 customers in 98 communities across the Commonwealth. With headquarters in Chesterfield County, it is one of six regulated utility companies of NiSource, Inc., (NYSE: NI), one of the largest fully regulated utility companies in the United States. NiSource employees are focused on our mission to deliver safe, reliable energy that drives value to our customers. More information about Columbia Gas of Virginia and NiSource, including our record of leadership in sustainability, investments in the communities we serve, and how we live our vision to be an innovative and trusted energy partner, is available at www.ColumbiaGasVA.com and www.NiSource.com.
