Consumers are being cautioned by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel in the wake of the recent Utility Scam Awareness Day. Her warning is in reaction to an increasing number of scammers who pretend to be utility company staff in order to steal financial and personal information from people who aren’t paying attention. According to a press statement from the Attorney General’s office, scammers frequently intimidate utility customers by threatening to turn off their gas or electricity in order to force them to provide personal or financial information. These warnings are meant to assist consumers in identifying and guarding against these predatory schemes.
To steal money or personal information, scammers employ a variety of strategies. They frequently insist on using unusual payment methods like wire transfers or cryptocurrencies and may demand payment right away. Nessel stressed, nevertheless, that respectable utility firms will never request money in this way. Nessel remarked, “Remember, utility companies will never demand immediate payment in person or over the phone,” in a statement that the office of the Attorney General was able to get.
Attorney General Nessel also listed a number of warning signs that could point to fraud. Aggressive methods used to break into homes, requests for personal information to enroll in fraudulent government programs, and unsolicited visits purporting to audit for energy efficiency are all cause for concern. Customers are urged to protect their personal information, particularly in unexpected situations, and to contact their energy provider via the proper channels if they need to confirm the accuracy of any claim.
Nessel advises anyone who believes they have been approached by an impostor to report it online or by calling the Michigan Public Service Commission at 800-292-9555. Additionally, Nessel urges customers who have already been detected to get in touch with their bank or credit card company immediately. For individuals looking to bolster their defenses against such scams, resources like the thorough Consumer Guide to Imposter Utility Scams provide additional support.
This message is supported by Utilities United Against Scams’ initiatives, which aim to combat and increase awareness of impostor utility scams by presenting a coordinated strategy. They develop programs to inform and shield consumers from these fraudulent practices in collaboration with utility services and trade associations. The Michigan Department of Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team can be reached for additional information or to make a complaint; the AG’s official website has contact details and an online complaint form.
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