Michigan Gas Utilities is teaming up with police agencies around Southwest Michigan to spread awareness about common utility scams and the warning signs customers should know about.
Michigan Gas spokesperson Matt Cullen tells us the most common scam involves someone calling and claiming to represent the company.
“Someone giving you a call and threatening you with immediate disconnection if you don’t make a payment in a short amount of time,” Cullen said. “Another tactic that scammers have been known to use is to require you to go to another business and purchase a prepaid debit or credit card.”
They’ll then try to get the customer to pay them immediately using that card. Cullen says Michigan Gas wouldn’t do that.
Sometimes, the company also hears about scammers showing up to a customer’s home. Cullen says the best thing to do in that case is to ask for a company ID.
“That is something that Michigan Gas Utilities employees are required to carry on them at all times, and our employees are glad to show that to our customers to provide them with that information.”
Another scam involves search engines. Cullen says scammers will pay for a sponsored link to be listed at the top of search results that contains a false phone number for the utility. Cullen says if you need to reach Michigan Gas, or any utility, call the number listed on your bill.
