A recent notice released by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection indicated that a phone scam is currently taking place, involving someone claiming to be from We Energies. The scam, like most, includes a call to small businesses or property owners, indicating that they are behind in payment. The call threatens action, and requests that money be transferred. Jared Albrecht of DATCP says there are big red flags with that.
“They are not going to call you, make threats and demand an immediate payment over the phone, so any of those types of calls are scams and your best bet is to hang up. We have received over twenty calls this week” said Albracht. “This is a old scam that pops up from time to time.”
Albrecht says for those who receive a call like this to be aware of all the tricks that are used to get a hold of money.
“We want people to be on the lookout for phone calls from people who claim to be with a utility company, and making threats about the status of their accounts. These people are fakes, and they don’t represent the utility.”
Albrecht says calling the number that is listed on one of your billing statements is the safest way to see if the call was valid. Take control of the situation”
Albrecht said the call asks you to wire money, and once that money is transferred, it is likely gone.
Scammers can also manipulate your caller ID and make it seem like the call is coming from a local company.