MARQUETTE, MI-- Upper Peninsula Power Company joined other utilities across the U.S. Wednesday to promote the inaugural Utilities United Against Scams Day.
The event focused on exposing scammers’ tactics to steal money from customers and what customers can do to protect themselves.
Officials say scammers may pretend to be from a utility, tell residents they’re behind on their bill, and threaten disconnection if payment isn’t made. The resident may be instructed to buy a prepaid credit card and call the scammer back with its numbers. At that point, the money is gone.
Utility officials say anyone who gets such a call should write down any information the caller gives, and the date, time, and caller ID. Never give out any personal or financial information.
UPPCO says it will never ask customers to pay with a prepaid credit card. Anyone behind on their bill will get several mailed notices before UPPCO makes any call to the person listed on the utility account.
