Iowans are reporting three different types of imposter scams regarding utility services. On Monday, MidAmerican fielded reports of customers who received text messages with the company’s logo. The text instructed the victim to call a toll-free number regarding the cancellation of electricity services. The toll-free number, however, was not a legitimate one. Over the course of the past week, customers reported receiving live and robocalls that contained threats of disconnection unless immediate payment was made. And last week, the Iowa Utilities Board warned consumers someone claiming to be one of their employees was calling and threatening disconnection within 30 minutes unless the victim paid by phone. MidAmerican says while the scams are different in technique, they all have three things in common—a threat to disconnect services; a demand for immediate action; and payment by phone. “Anytime you receive a suspicious call or text from someone threatening to shut off your service, remember the word TIP,” says Mike Gehringer, MidAmerican Energy vice president of customer operations. TIP stands for threat, immediacy and payment. He says they usually reach out to past-due customers by mail first, giving them plenty of notice on payment issues. They will ask for verification of account details, but will not ask you to provide them. Don’t give any details out to a caller you don’t know. MidAmerican will not demand immediate payment over the phone through one option only. And finally, don’t trust your caller ID. Scammers can block or change it, spoofing a number that looks legitimate. If the call is suspicious, hang up and call the number on your bill or from MidAmerican’s website.
