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

“Scammers often bully utility consumers, threatening to shut off their gas or electricity to coerce them into handing over personal or financial information,” Nessel said. “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 provide several ways to pay bills, including online, by phone, automatic bank draft, mail, or in person. However, they will never:

Demand payment be made immediately or ask for 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 signing you up for a government program that claims to reduce energy bills.

Make unannounced visits to collect a bill or threaten shutoff. Utilities will never threaten to disrupt or disconnect service either in person, over the phone, or by email. All shut-off notices are mailed USPS and provide the steps to restore the account to good standing.

Show up at your home to inspect or repair equipment, investigate a leak, or do a free audit for energy efficiency. Consumers are notified in advance of a home visit.

Request 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 the phone number associated with the account.

Claim consumers are entitled to a refund or rebate and ask for bank account or credit card information to make the alleged refund.

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

Attorney General Nessel advises consumers to remain vigilant if someone claims their utility service will be disconnected without prior notification. Utilities typically notify customers of delinquent accounts by mail, including steps to restore service. Never respond to demands for immediate payment or share personal information with unsolicited callers, visitors, or 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 from their official website or 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 mistakenly provided bank account or credit card information to an individual they suspect might have been an impostor, Attorney General Nessel recommends they call their bank or credit card company immediately.

Utilities United Against Scams (UUAS) is an agency dedicated to combating impostor utility scams by providing a forum for utilities and trade associations to share data and best practices, in addition to working together to implement initiatives to inform and protect customers. They 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

P.O. Box 30213

Lansing, MI 48909

517-335-7599

Fax: 517-241-3771

Toll-free: 877-765-8388