Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel recently issued a consumer alert as scammers impersonating Consumers Energy target Michiganders.
The department has received several complaints of someone cold-calling customers and threatening to shut off their power if the person doesn’t pay off a balance in 30 minutes, which is a utility imposter scam that attempts to take advantage of the customer’s concern for maintaining electricity or another vital utility.
A similar scam targeted DTE Energy customers late last year.
It’s important to remember Consumers Energy and other utility companies will never:
- cold-call you and give an ultimatum that your service will be shut off shortly unless you act;
- visit your home to collect a bill or threaten shutoff;
- request immediate payment through a prepaid debit card, or any form of unusual payment;
- request personal or financial information such as a Social Security number; or
- claim a customer is entitled to a refund or rebate by asking for bank account or credit card information to make the alleged refund.
Scammers are relentless, said Nessel, who also warned of scammers reaching out to loved ones of COVID-19 victims offering to register them for funeral assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
If you suspect you have been contacted by an imposter, you may file a complaint online with the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection team or call 877-765-8388.
View the consumer alert here for more information on utility scams and how to protect yourself.
