Consumers Energy Alerts Customers to Phone Scam Involving Prepaid Credit Card

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Feb 26, 2015, 06:00 ET

JACKSON, Mich., Feb. 26, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy is warning customers about a scam that includes a high-pressure demand for quick utility payments over the phone using a prepaid credit card.

"Imposters are ramping up efforts in Michigan and elsewhere. They have begun focusing their criminal efforts on small commercial customers such as restaurants and grocery stores," said Michael Williams, Consumers Energy's director of corporate security. "We are actively working with law enforcement to protect our customers, but the best defense is to be aware of the scam and avoid becoming a victim."

In just the first two months of 2015, customers have reported 241 impersonations. Consumers Energy is aware that 10 customers have turned over nearly $13,000 to the criminals.

Consumers Energy never demands payment using only a pre-paid credit card, and the energy provider is telling its customers to never pay over the phone using a Green Dot card or other pre-paid credit card. In addition, customers should never give personal information or money over the phone to anyone they do not know.

"Our customers should know that we will not contact them to request personal information and demand payment or be shut off within a certain time period," Williams said.

Business or residential customers who believe they may have been victims of this scam or who have related concerns should call Consumers Energy at 1-800-477-5050.

Consumers Energy has a variety of payment options for customers, including the ability to pay over a secure Internet site, via U.S. mail, in person at an authorized pay agent location, and by Visa, MasterCard or an eCheck using an authorized Consumers Energy EasyPay agent. Learn more at www.ConsumersEnergy.com/waystopay.

The Michigan Public Service Commission has utility fraud avoidance tips at www.michigan.gov/documents/mpsc/mpsc-ca_utilityservicefraud_211946_7.pdf.

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.6 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

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WAYS TO PAY: Consumers Energy has a variety of payment options available for customers, including: -- the ability to pay over a secure Internet site