DTE Energy Warns Customers to Look Out For Calls From Con Artists Posing as Utility Workers
August 28 2006 - 11:30AM
PR Newswire (US)
DETROIT, Aug. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- DTE Energy's Detroit Edison and
MichCon subsidiaries are warning customers to look out for con
artists posing as utility workers in order to gain access to
personal information and property. These impostors frequently prey
upon the elderly. In recent weeks, a number of customers have
received telephone calls from con artists claiming to be DTE Energy
employees, asking for payment of an outstanding bill and
threatening to shut off service if it's not immediately paid by
credit card or by providing specific checking account information.
Some customers unwittingly gave the callers their credit card
numbers, which were later used to fraudulently purchase goods and
services in several states. "Unfortunately, there are unscrupulous
people out there who may pose as Detroit Edison and MichCon
employees to take advantage of our customers," said Michael Lynch,
DTE Energy's director of corporate security. "We urge customers to
be cautious to avoid becoming a victim of these criminals." DTE
Energy customers whose accounts are in arrears and are in jeopardy
of service shut-off do sometimes receive calls from DTE Energy
representatives who offer them the option of paying their bill over
the phone with a credit card. However, such calls are made only to
customers whose accounts are significantly overdue. Collection
calls are never made to customers whose accounts are current. How
can customers be sure they're speaking with a legitimate DTE Energy
employee and not a con artist? Lynch offered these suggestions: *
Pull out your most current DTE Energy bill. Insist that the caller
tell you the account number and amount due. * If you suspect the
call may be fraudulent, hang up and call DTE Energy toll-free at
(800) 477-4747. Ask to be connected to a customer service
representative who can confirm the status of your account and make
appropriate arrangements for payment, if needed. * If you have
caller I.D., the display will indicate that the call is from DTE
Energy. * If you have received a call of this nature and believe
you are the victim of fraud, contact your local police immediately.
In addition to the telephone scam, Lynch said customers should be
aware of a similar con in which thieves posing as utility employees
appear at customers' homes demanding bill payment on the spot.
Sometimes these thieves will work in pairs. One will distract the
homeowner while the other searches the house for money and other
valuables. DTE Energy does not collect or accept utility bill
payments at customer homes or businesses. DTE Energy field
employees carry photo identification badges that identify them as
DTE Energy employees. Customers who are not sure about an
employee's identification, or who want to verify the nature of the
work to be done at their homes, should call DTE Energy at (800)
477-4747. "We want customers to know that if they have any
questions about someone claiming to represent Detroit Edison or
MichCon, they can call us for verification before they open their
doors or provide information of any kind," said Lynch. It is a
felony for people to impersonate public utility workers, whether or
not they actually gain entrance to a home and commit a crime. Lynch
said customers should keep these additional tips in mind to avoid
becoming a victim: * All Detroit Edison and MichCon employees and
contractors carry photo identification badges, and are required to
display their badge if asked. Customers are encouraged to ask for
identification. * Do not allow people into your home who claim to
offer a Detroit Edison or MichCon refund. DTE Energy employees
never deliver cash refunds or rebates to customers' homes. * Do not
pay for tree-trimming work by individuals claiming to be from
Detroit Edison or a Detroit Edison contractor. The utility does not
charge for line clearance work. Additionally, before tree-trimming
crews enter a neighborhood for scheduled line clearance work,
customers are notified about the work to be done. * Call the police
if you believe the person at your door is a con artist posing as a
utility worker. DATASOURCE: DTE Energy CONTACT: Eileen Dixon,
+1-313-235-9154, or Lorie Kessler, +1-313-235-8807, both of DTE
Energy Web site: http://www.dteenergy.com/
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