Winter Utility Scams

Wisconsin’s annual winter heating disconnection moratorium begins on November 1. This moratorium prevents utility providers from shutting off residents’ essential heat services due to unpaid bills between November 1, 2025 and April 15, 2026. Despite this, consumers may still receive threatening calls and messages from scammers impersonating their utility providers.

Scammers know how dangerous a Wisconsin winter is without heating. They send emails and make phone calls to Wisconsin consumers threatening to disconnect their services if they do not pay right away. The scammer may claim the consumer missed payments, incorrectly filed documents, or made some other mistake that caused an issue. Some scammers add highly specific (but fictional) details to their explanation to make it seem more real, like made-up work orders, billing statements, or tracking numbers. The scammers’ goal is to use high-pressure tactics and make their targets act out of fear before they can pause and think clearly about the request. Remember:

· Utility companies contact consumers through official channels if their account is overdue. They will not demand immediate payment and cannot shut off heat services due to unpaid bills between November 1 and April 15.

· If a caller demands to be paid in gift cards, cryptocurrency, a banking app, or via wire transfer, it’s a scam.

· Consumers who are unsure of the status of their account should not listen to cold callers or click on links they receive. Instead, they should verify their utility provider’s contact information from a billing statement or official website, then reach out to them directly.

For assistance with utility bills, consumers can contact these resources:

· Energy Assistance: Call Statewide Customer Care Center at 1-800-506-5596 or visit EnergyAndHousing.wi.gov and search for the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program

· Information and referrals for thousands of other services in Wisconsin: Call 211 Wisconsin’s 24/7/365 hotline at 2-1-1 or text your ZIP code to 898211

· Questions about Wisconsin utilities: Call the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin at psc.wi.gov or 608-266-2001 / 1-800-225-7729