I want to make others aware. While some could see red flags right away, they’re obviously targeting vulnerable people like the elderly (like my father, who also has Asperger's, so he was even more vulnerable) or those already stressed.
Someone called around 5/6pm when my father, who is 80 years old, was coming home from his part-time job, pretending to be his utility company. They had all of his information correct and acted/named his specific utility company, stating that since he was late on his bill, his electricity would be cut off that evening if he didn’t pay immediately. My father is usually never late on his bills, but due to travel he was two days late. Yes, I know no company would ever shut off your power that fast, but he didn't, and panicked at the time of the call.
They proceeded to take his credit card info, but then went on to say the card didn’t work and that he’d have to come pay cash in person. They had him meet in some storefront — I think a dollar store, I'm not sure — and he paid $500 in cash. Fortunately, as soon as he got home my mother knew it was a scam, so they cancelled all of their credit cards, but he lost the $500 obviously. I fear this could be much worse for someone vulnerable living alone that didn’t clue in. Please warn your family members or those you know who may be vulnerable — he was especially at risk since he’d never been late on a bill before, so he really panicked.