Michiganders urged to watch out for imposter utility workers

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Residents of Michigan are being warned to be wary of potential utility scammers.

The Michigan Public Service Commission issued a warning Monday on potential utility scammers.

The warning follows the killing last week of an Oakland County resident by two men posing as DTE Energy Co. gas workers. The men claimed to be investigating a gas leak at a Rochester Hills home.

Law enforcement in Oakland County say once inside the home, the men killed 72-year-old Hussein Murray and tied up is wife. Carlos Jose Hernandez and another suspect have both been taken in custody.

MPSC is asking locals to be wary of unannounced visits. “If someone shows up at your home saying he or she is from a utility, ask to see a badge with photo ID, and if the person refuses, do not allow them into your home. If you are still unsure about the identity or motive of the worker after verifying their badge, you can call your utility and verify they are supposed to be at your residence and the work they are scheduled to do. If the person acts irritated or in an otherwise strange way, call 911,” said MPSC.

Here are some helpful tips to keep you and your family safe:

• Utilities generally seek to contact customers in advance, by phone, email or text, before visiting a home. Utility employees will only rarely need to enter a home, but when it is necessary, utilities will try multiple ways to contact customers in advance to notify them of work that needs to be done.
• Utility employees are required to carry photo identification badges and show the badge when asked. A utility employee or contractor who refuses to show their badge should be refused entry.
• Ask the employee why they are there and, if in doubt, call your utility directly, using the customer phone number your utility includes on your bill, to confirm the visit is needed before allowing anyone entry or access to their property. Keep your door locked when making the call, and if you must speak to the person, do so without allowing them access to your home

Michigan Public Service Commission, News Release, October 14, 2024

Scammers don’t’ always show up in person to execute their plan. They will also try to get information over the phone

If you receive a phone call from someone claiming to be from a utility and threatening to shut off service unless a payment is made immediately, it’s probably a scam call and you should hang up. The same rules apply for suspicious emails and text messages.

Additional information to help you from being scammed:

• Utility companies never call customers demanding immediate payment to keep service from being shut off. Customers will be notified of overdue balances and potential service disconnections through their monthly bill, while scammers will aggressively warn that a utility bill is past due, and service will be disconnected without immediate payment. They may ask you to pay through prepaid cards, gift cards, mobile payment apps, cryptocurrency or another unusual manner.
• Never give out your account numbers or personal information such as your name, address, date of birth, or Social Security number.
• If you suspect a call to be fraudulent, hang up and immediately call your utility at the telephone number on your bill and ask to speak with a customer service representative.
• If you’ve mistakenly provided bank account information, call your bank and local police department. Place an initial fraud alert on your credit report for at least 90 days

Michigan Public Service Commission, News Release, October 14, 2024

Complains can also be filed with the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division or with the Federal Trade Commission at 877-382-4357.

In addition to the Michigan Public Service Commission weighing in with concerns about scammers, both DTE and Consumer’s Energy have issued statements as well.

“Safety is our top priority at Consumers Energy, and that includes the safety of our customers even when we’re not on the job. Any employee or contractor of Consumers Energy will always wear a company identification badge, and will gladly show it upon request. We will never utilize scare tactics or threaten to shut off your service if you don’t let us in, and we always provide advance notice if we need to get into your home. If you believe a scammer is trying to get into your home, lock all your doors and immediately call 911 and report it to the police. Customers who are concerned or looking for additional information and safety tips can visit our website to learn more.”

Tracy Wimmer, Spokeswoman Consumer’s Energy, email statement Tuesday October 15, 2024

And from DTE, on Facebook:

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