November 20 was Utility Scams Awareness Day. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is reissuing her consumer alert on utility impostor scams. These schemes typically involve scammers posing as utility company employees to trick consumers into providing money and personal or financial information.

“Fraudsters often intimidate utility consumers, threatening to cut off their gas or electricity supply to coerce them into disclosing personal or financial information. » » said Nessel. “However, with the right information, customers can learn to detect and report these predatory scams. Remember, utility companies will never demand immediate payment, in person or over the phone.

Utility companies offer several ways to pay your bills, including online, by phone, by automatic bank draft, by mail, or in person. However, they do not:

Demand that payment be made immediately or request payment in an unusual form like Green Dot debit cards, Western Union wire transfers, Bitcoin, or apps like Cash App, Venmo, and Zelle.

Solicit personal information under the guise of enrolling in a government program that claims to reduce energy bills.

Make unannounced visits to collect a bill or threaten a cutoff. Utilities will never threaten to disrupt or disconnect service, whether in person, by telephone or by email. All closure notices are sent by USPS and provide steps to restore the account to good standing.

Come to your home to inspect or repair equipment, investigate a leak, or perform a free energy efficiency audit. Consumers are informed before a home visit.

Ask for personal or financial information, such as Social Security numbers, utility account numbers, or payment information. Instead, customers are asked to validate account information such as billing zip code, home address, or phone number associated with the account.

Claim that consumers are entitled to a refund or rebate and request bank account or credit card information to make the purported refund.

Use aggressive tactics to break into a home. If a consumer feels unsafe or threatened by a suspected impostor, contact local law enforcement immediately.

Attorney General Nessel advises consumers to remain vigilant if someone claims their utility will be disconnected without prior notification. Utilities typically notify customers of delinquent accounts by mail, including steps to restore service. Never respond to requests for immediate payment or share personal information with callers, visitors or unsolicited emails. Instead, hang up, close the door, or delete the email. To verify the legitimacy of a claim, contact the utility provider directly using a phone number listed on its official website or on utility bills.

If consumers suspect they have been contacted by a utility imposter, they can report it online to the Michigan Public Service Commission or call 800-292-9555. If a consumer has mistakenly provided their bank account or credit card information to someone they suspect may have been an imposter, Attorney General Nessel recommends they immediately call their bank or credit card company. credit.

Utilities United Against Scams (UUAS) is an agency dedicated to combating imposter utility scams by providing a forum for utilities and trade associations to share data and best practices, in addition to working together to implement implements initiatives to inform and protect customers. They have also published a comprehensive consumer guide to imposter utility scams (PDF) for consumer assistance.

To report a scam, file a complaint, or get additional information, contact the Michigan Department of Attorney General:

Consumer Protection Team

PO Box 30213

Lansing, Michigan 48909

517-335-7599

Fax: 517-241-3771

Toll free: 877-765-8388