THE SCAM
Earlier today, the Fitchburg Police Department received several complaints from residents and business owners regarding a scam involving phone calls from individuals claiming to be representatives of Alliant Energy. The callers claimed power service to the residence or the business would be shut off within the hour unless the resident or business owner provided a credit card number over the phone.
Scam calls similar to these often spike in frequency at the beginning of the heating and cooling seasons. In past reports, scammers have claimed to be representatives from both Alliant Energy and Madison Gas & Electric. In addition to requesting credit card information, scammers have also instructed people to purchase a prepaid credit card and send it to the scammer.
DON'T BE SCAMMED
Many of these scammers have software to spoof the number of the energy company on your caller ID. If you have any doubt about a call you receive from your energy company, simply hang up. Do not provide any information. If you have any questions about your account, call your energy provider at a number you can verify, not the number that may appear on your caller ID. When you contact your energy company, representatives will be able to provide account information to you, including your address, past payment information and the total amount due on your account.
Alliant Energy – 1-800-ALLIANT (800-255-4268)
Madison Gas & Electric - (608) 252-7222
IF YOU RECEIVE A CALL
If you receive a call like this, hang up. Do not provide any information.
You can file a report with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection here:
http://datcp.wi.gov/Consumer
In the event you provide a credit number to a scammer, immediately contact your credit card company and inform them of the situation. Your credit card company may require you to file a police report with your local law enforcement agency.
For more information
Visit the Scam and Fraud page on the City of Fitchburg Police Department’s website for more information on scam and fraud trends.
http://www.fitchburgwi.gov/1103/Scams-and-Frauds