DATCP Warns of Utility Scammers

With winter on the way expect an increase in the number of utility scams.
Michelle Reinen is the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection for the
state. She says scammers will prey on the fears of utility customers posing as
representative of a utility threatening to shut off power for unpaid bills if
you don’t pay up immediately. The caller is willing to take information over
the phone about how you will pay if you volunteer it. The scammer may also
suggest that you obtain a money card to pay for the bill. Reinen says a utility
would notify you through the mail if you were in danger of being disconnected. Wisconsin has a heating
moratorium which prohibits utilities from disconnecting customers for overdue
bills from November 1st through April 15th.