Due to the freezing weather that is coming up, MidAmerican Energy wants customers to be aware of potential scammers. MidAmerican customers have reported a higher-than-average number of utility scam incidents this past week. The company is concerned that those numbers could increase, as scammers might take advantage of the upcoming cold weather. Mike Grehringer, vice president of customer operations, says, “Scammers can use the treat of dangerous cold to truly scare their victims into thinking they’ll lose their heat and convince them to pay to supposedly avoid an instant shut off.” Grehringer reports the utility imposter scam is the most common. The phone call begins with someone who claims they are working for MidAmerican and that the company did not receive payment, threatening to shut off the service unless the customer agrees to pay immediately over the phone. Scammers often seek payment through reloadable money cards, digital payment apps like Venmo, money wire transfers, or even Amazon or iTunes gift cards. Still, they will seek out debit/credit card and bank account numbers. Grehringer says it is important to know that MidAmerican will not just call you out of the blue, making immediate disconnection threats. MidAmerican will always send a disconnection notice with a date and call the customer before a disconnection. MidAmerican accepts many forms of payment but will not demand a specific payment by phone and will never ask for payment via gift card. If a customer suspects anything unusual from a phone call, hang up and call the MidAmerican number that appears on the monthly bill or on the company website at www.midamerican.com. If a customer thinks they have been scammed, report it to a local law enforcement agency and MidAmerican by phone or online.
