DTE Energy is warning its customers of an uptick in bogus callers posing as DTE employees and demanding money for supposedly overdue utility bills.
It's the latest resurgence of a scam that Michael Lynch, DTE chief security officer, said cost DTE customers over $100,000 last year based on reported incidents — with the actual dollar figure likely being much higher.
Several businesses have recently received calls threatening an imminent shutoff of electricity unless the owners immediately buy prepaid debit cards, such as Green Dot, and provide numbers on the back to make payment.
Lynch said some phone calls even show up as DTE Energy on caller ID, making the caller's demands seem even more legitimate.
His advice: Don't fall for it because DTE never demands payment by prepaid debit cards.
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Plymouth Downtown Development Authority Director Tony Bruscato said the DDA has issued an alert on Facebook after yet another business reported getting a bogus call. He said the alert is "getting quite a bit of traction" on social media.
In some cases, DTE officials say the perpetrators even provide callback numbers that answer with a recorded greeting like the one on DTE's customer service line.
Lynch said the vast majority of bogus calls are made to businesses, often between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. That's when some businesses, such as restaurants, are more likely to become victims because they fear losing power during the lunch rush.
"They don't want to be embarrassed, nor do they want their power shut off when the most customers are there," he said.
Plymouth Detective Lt. Jamie Grabowski said some local businesses have fallen prey to the scam. He said some of them actually were behind on their DTE bills, making the bogus calls seem even more legitimate.
Last year, DTE received about 200 reports of scam attempts across metro Detroit, but Lynch said the number is likely much higher. Of those 200 incidents, he said 110 people actually reported losing money.
Lynch said DTE customers who are late on their bills may receive a notice at their door or a robocall to remind them, but DTE wouldn't demand payment by prepaid debit card with the threat of an imminent shutoff.
With some calls showing up as DTE on caller ID, DTE said utility impostors have upped their game by adding technology to their list of tactics.
DTE offers the following tips to avoid scams:
- DTE Energy does not call customers for payment for an account that is in good standing.
- DTE typically sends a warning notice by mail if a customer is behind on payments.
- It's a red flag if someone calls to say a crew is on the way to shut off service unless there’s an immediate payment. The more aggressive the caller, DTE says, the more skeptical customers should be.
- DTE does not demand a specific form of payment but gives customers options including credit cards, debit cards and bank transfers. If a caller insists on payment with a prepaid debit card, especially a specific brand of prepaid card, it's a scam.
- Don't trust caller ID. Any customer who suspects a fraudulent call should hang up, call DTE toll free at 800-477-4747 and speak with a customer service representative who can confirm the status of an account and, if needed, work out payment arrangements.
- When receiving a call, get the most recent DTE bill and ask the caller to provide the account number and amount due.
- Fraudulent calls also should be reported to local police.
- If someone who appears to be a DTE employee shows up at the door, they should be wearing a photo identification badge. Any customer who isn't sure of the situation should call DTE to inquire about work to be done at the home.
- Don't allow people into the home if they claim to be offering a DTE refund. Employees never deliver cash refunds or rebates to customers’ homes.
- DTE employees do not engage in door-to-door sales for gas and electric services, although home protection plans are occasionally offered that way by employees who carry a photo ID.
- DTE employees do not collect or accept utility bill payments at the door.
- Never give out personal information such as Social Security cards and bank account numbers to a stranger on the Internet.
Contact Darrell Clem at dclem@hometownlife.com. Follow him on Twitter: @CantonObserver.