Chris speaks with Mike Moll, Corporate Security Team, Consumers Energy, Jackson, Michigan. They discuss Consumers Energy’s role in the business and residential community as they put forth efforts to protect their customers from scams and scammers in the community. They discuss the scams within the utilities sector, and the scams that are going on around the nation. Mike shares the techniques that are being used, and how over 70,000 people have paid money over the last year due to these types of scams.

More Information from Consumers Energy to Help Protect Yourself and Your Business

• On occasion, households or businesses that we serve will receive phone calls from criminals claiming to be from Consumers Energy. Here are the signs to look for in scams. They:
  • Demand payment within a short time frame
  • Insist on a specific form of payment
  • May seek personal or account information
  • May have an account number or what sounds like the proper bill and amount
  • May “spoof” a caller’s phone, making it appear as if the call comes from Consumers Energy
  • May provide an 800 or 888 number to call that is not ours
• This is not how we seek payment from our customers:
  • We will not contact customers to request personal information and demand payment or be shut off within a certain time
  • We never demand payment using only a pre-paid credit card
• Things our customers should know:
  • Do not pay over the phone using a pre-paid credit card
  • Do not give personal information or money over the phone to anyone you do not know
  • If you receive a call and believe it may be a scam, call us immediately at 800-477-5050
• We understand that our customers may sometimes face challenges in paying bills. Help is available. Call 2-1-1 or call us at 800-477-5050. We also offer a variety of payment options:
  • The ability to pay over a secure Internet site
  • Via U.S. mail
  • In person at an authorized pay agent location
  • By Visa, MasterCard or eCheck using an authorized Consumers Energy EasyPay agent
  • Learn more atwww.ConsumersEnergy.com/waystopay
• We are actively working with law enforcement to protect our customers, but the best defense is to be aware of the scam and avoid becoming a victim.