WASHINGTON, D.C. – (RealEstateRama) —
- Consumers Energy is again warning customers about a scam that includes a high-pressure demand for quick utility payments over the phone using a prepaid credit card.
- Through Sept. 8, a total of 982 potential scam complaints have been reported to Consumers Energy, up from 860 during September 2015, with a total of 46 payments totaling more than $58,000 made.
- During the past two weeks, business and residential customers in the Genesee and Saginaw County areas have been heavily targeted. These scams frequently move from city to city, so customers across the state should be aware of these types of calls.
- Callers threaten to shut off service if immediate payments aren’t made on accounts using a Green Dot or other prepaid credit card.
- Consumers Energy never demands payment using only a pre-paid credit card, and urges customers to never be coerced into paying an energy bill over the phone using a Green Dot card or other pre-paid credit card. In addition, customers should never give personal information or money over the phone to anyone they do not know.
- Consumers Energy has a variety of payment options for customers, including:
- the ability to pay over a secure Internet site
- via U.S. mail,
- in person at an authorized pay agent location,
- and by Visa, MasterCard or an eCheck using an authorized Consumers Energy EasyPay agent.
- Learn more about payment options at www.ConsumersEnergy.com/waystopay
- Business or residential customers who believe they may have been victims of this scam or who have related concerns should call Consumers Energy at 1-800-477-5050.
Media Contacts: Debra Dodd, 586-918-0597 or Brian Wheeler, 517-788-2394
For more information about Consumers Energy, go to www.ConsumersEnergy.com
