JACKSON, MI (WTVB) – The Better Business Bureau and Consumers Energy are warning businesses to be cautious of a growing utility scam in which a person calls a business claiming to be from Consumers.
The caller says the business has an overdue bill and the utilities will be shut off if payment isn’t made immediately. The caller then asks for a payment by a wire transfer or a prepaid card.
Consumers Energy reports an uptick in scam calls during the last two months.
Their customers have paid over $52,000 more to scammers this year compared to 2018.
Consumers Energy has received information on 76 incidents where scammers were paid by customers in 2019. The Better Business Bureau has also received a number of reports regarding this scam.
Christopher Bush, who is Consumers Energy’s director of corporate security, says if you get a scam call or are unsure if the call is legitimate, hang up and call Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050 and contact your local law enforcement agency. Bush said Consumers Energy will never threaten to shut off power immediately if payment is not made.
The company’s collection process involves a series of letters which clearly state a disconnection date if payment is not made. The company will also not require payment in pre-paid credit cards or debit cards, a tactic often used by scammers.
