SEMCO ENERGY Warns Customers of Bill Payment Scam

PORT HURON, Mich., July 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- SEMCO ENERGY GAS COMPANY is alerting customers of a new bill payment scam promising to pay a customer's utility bill and then gathering personal information.

Through a variety of means including, door-to-door solicitations, social media, fliers and phone calls, scammers are convincing customers that a new federal program, established by the Obama Administration, is providing free utility bill payment credits.  To take advantage of the program customers are asked to provide their Social Security Number and, in some cases, their bank routing number.  Victims of this scam are provided a bank routing number and an account number to pay their bills. The primary purpose of this scam appears to be identity theft of the victim's Social Security Number.

In addition to identity theft, customers may end up with unpaid utility bills leading to late charges and potential disruption of service.

SEMCO reminds customers; never give out personal information, particularly Social Security numbers and banking information, to anyone during a telemarketing call or door-to-door solicitation unless they know with certainty who they are dealing with.

If someone comes to your door or calls claiming to be an employee of SEMCO ENERGY, demand verification. If you are still concerned, call SEMCO ENERGY at 1 800 624 2019 to validate their identity.

SEMCO ENERGY distributes natural gas to more than 286,000 customers in Michigan, as SEMCO ENERGY GAS COMPANY.

SOURCE SEMCO ENERGY GAS COMPANY