April 09, 2024 Beware of Scammers: What To Look Out For
Electronic scams have been on the rise in recent years, with scammers impersonating utility companies to access your private information. Protect yourself and your loved ones from scammers by reading and sharing the following reminders, adapted from DTE Energy:
1. Scammers use scare tactics
The more aggressive the caller or a text message saying your account is overdue, the most skeptical you should be.
Scammers attempt to scare you into complying with their scheme and giving them what they want.
2. Scammers demand specific forms of payment
Most utility companies offer a variety of traditional payment forms but will never demand a specific type of payment method.
Do not comply with requests for unusual payment methods like cryptocurrency, money-transferring apps, or pre-paid debit cards.
3. Scammers request payment at your home
Utility companies like DTE Energy and Consumers Energy will never collect payment at your door.
If someone claiming to be a utility company representative is at your home or work, ask to see an identification badge before allowing them to work on your home or business.
4. Scammers ask for personal information
Never give out personal information to someone you are unsure of over the phone, in person, through email or on the Internet.
Recommendations
- Don’t trust your caller ID. Scammers can spoof a phone number to make it look like your utility company’s number.
- If you get an unusual email or text message, do not click on any links, scan any barcodes or make any payments.
- Do not give out any personal information to anyone you are unsure of, including your credit card info, social security number or utility company account number.
- If you are unsure of a communication, call your utility company directly with the phone number on your bill and/or type in your utility company’s web address to confirm the message.
- Take note of the URL that’s listed before clicking on a sponsored ad in search engine listings. Although some scams show your utility company’s name in the URL, the link is not directed to your utility company’s official website.