JACKSON,
Mich., Nov. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers
Energy is reminding our Michigan
friends and neighbors to be alert and take action to protect
themselves from scams as we approach the holidays and with Utility
Scam Awareness Day taking place this week.
"Consumers Energy is always working to protect our customers
from identity theft and fraud,
whether it's over the phone and Internet, or someone knocking at
your door," said Jim Beechey,
Consumers Energy's vice president of information technology and
security. "We can't stop criminals from trying to cheat people, but
we can make sure we're all aware of risks and safeguard
ourselves."
On Oct. 11, 2024, authorities say
two people posing as DTE Energy employees committed a homicide at a
home in Rochester Hills, near
Detroit. Beechey said the incident
provided an extreme example of the lengths to which some criminals
will go.
He suggested that people can contact Consumers Energy at
800-477-5050 to report suspicious activity. He also offered the
following tips to customers:
- Consumers Energy employees are honest about who we are and what
we do. An employee or contractor who comes to your door will wear a
company identification badge, and will gladly show it upon
request.
- You can call 800-760-3295 with the person's name to confirm the
identity of any visitor claiming to work on behalf of Consumers
Energy. This number will connect anyone with our security command
center and is covered around the clock.
- We try to provide advance notice if we need to get into your
home, although that will not always be the case in an emergency.
During emergencies we may need to perform safety checks inside and
outside surrounding buildings.
- If you believe a scammer is trying to get into your home,
lock all your doors and immediately call 9-1-1 and report it to the
police.
- Consumers Energy does not threaten customers with immediate
shut-off, and we make every attempt to contact people before we
reach a point where service might be disconnected. We do not
require a specific form of payment for a bill and will not ask for
personal information.
- Be aware of online scammers who aim to trick people into
calling bogus phone numbers and obtain access to credit cards, bank
accounts and other personal information. Scammers often request
payment for services like starting new accounts, which usually
don't require a deposit, or tell the caller they have an
outstanding balance they need to pay immediately.
Learn more at
ConsumersEnergy.com/scams.
Consumers Energy is among 150 energy providers that are part of
Utilities United Against Scams, recognizing the threats that
customers face across the nation. Utility Scam Awareness Day is
Wednesday, although Beechey cautioned that people can be targeted
by criminals at any time of year.
"We understand people can feel uncomfortable knowing there are
so many threats from people who profit by doing harm," Beechey
said. "But we can also arm ourselves against scammers by being
alert and knowing the steps we can take to be sure someone is truly
acting in good faith."
Consumers Energy is Michigan's
largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity
to 6.8 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower
Peninsula counties. Consumers Energy knows job number one is to
keep the lights on for customers. We are committed to delivering
reliable, clean, and affordable energy to our customers
24/7.
For more information about Consumers Energy, go to
ConsumersEnergy.com.
Check out Consumers Energy on Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/consumersenergymichigan
Twitter: https://twitter.com/consumersenergy
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/consumersenergy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/consumersenergy
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SOURCE Consumers Energy
