Post from Community: BBB Serving Wisconsin and We Energies warn of scammers impersonating We Energies, demanding payment | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Wisconsin Better Business Bureau
November 18, 2021
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From Better Business Bureau® (BBB) Serving Wisconsin and We Energies: Scammers are taking advantage of the cold winter weather by once again impersonating We Energies representatives. The con artists threaten residents and business owners with disconnection of service, unless they pay up immediately.
How the scam works:
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The phone rings, and the person on the other line identifies themselves as a representative from We Energies. The caller tells you that you need to make payment immediately or your utilities will be shut off. The caller will demand that you pay by unusual payment methods, including prepaid debit or gift card, cryptocurrency or third-party apps like Zelle, Venmo or Paypal. This is a huge warning sign. Sometimes the impostor will threaten you or act rude, other times they may seem legitimate and sound professional. Do not be fooled. Variations of the scam include calls to restaurants during busy dinner hours – threatening immediate disconnection if immediate payment is not made. Scammers also target Spanish-speaking consumers by speaking in Spanish.
Many people report that their caller ID will even show “We Energies” as being the caller.
“Caller ID is, unfortunately, easily manipulated by fraudsters, and BBB reminds folks that caller ID cannot be trusted”, says Jim Temmer, BBB Serving Wisconsin CEO and President. “BBB, along with We Energies, is imploring the community to spread the word about this scam by sharing this information with family members, friends, neighbors, businesses and senior citizens.”
“We will never threaten you or try to scare you into making a payment,” says John Zaganczyk, We Energies Senior Vice President, Customer Service. “If you think a scammer is targeting you, hang up. It’s not rude; it’s safe.”
How to avoid a utility impersonation scam:
For more ways to avoid utility scams, see the BBB Tip: Utility Impostor Scam and visit 10 Steps to Avoid Scams. Report scams to BBB Scam Tracker. Your first-hand experience can help other consumers recognize scammers’ tactics before it’s too late. If you get a call that sounds suspicious, hang up immediately and call We Energies at 800-242-9137. If you fall for a scam, report it to your local police department. You can also report scams to BBB Scam Tracker.