Don't be a victim of utility scammers. July edition of MPSC’s Behind the Meter podcast tells you how

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The Michigan Public Service Commission’s latest installment of its monthly podcast Behind the Meter takes a close look at the issue of utility scams, presenting important information about how fraudsters target utility customers and what to do to reduce the risk of falling victim to scams.

Commission Chair Dan Scripps and national utility consumer protection expert Monica Martinez, a former Commissioner on the MPSC, dive into the methods scammers use to get access to personal, private financial information, how scammers refine their techniques, and how customers can protect themselves from scams.

“It seems like that old saying, ‘Why do you rob banks? Because that’s where the money is,” Chair Scripps says during the podcast, referencing the famous quote by 20^th Century bank robber Willie Sutton. “Everybody has that utility bill that’s due, and so if you can find a way to make it look like you’re the utility and people want to avoid obviously having their service shut off, it is one of the things that feels like low-hanging fruit if you’re a scammer, to go after a bill that literally everybody has.”

Scripps and Martinez discuss methods scammers use, what signs to look for, and ways to avoid becoming a scam victim. Utility companies, for example, do not:

• Request personal financial information such as your utility or bank account numbers or Social Security number.
• Use aggressive tactics to collect on a bill, shut off service or enter your home.
• Show up unannounced to collect on a bill.
• Ask for forms of payment such as gift cards or cryptocurrency.

The MPSC has informational resources that can help consumers, including tip sheets on how to detect a utility scammer, how to recognize utility imposter scams, and how to protect yourself against utility fraud. If you’re in doubt, reach out to your utility company by calling the customer service number on your monthly bill before you engage with potential scammers.

About the MPSC’S Behind the Meter podcast

The MPSC launched the Behind the Meter podcast in February. It explores important energy and telecommunications issues, from utility rate cases and Michigan’s energy transition to efforts to expand broadband and boost electric reliability. MPSC Chief Operating Officer Mike Byrne hosts the podcast, which features a rotating group of guests including MPSC Commissioners, MPSC Staff, and outside experts in various fields in energy and telecommunications. Behind the Meter episodes are available at the MPSC’s website and on major podcast platforms.

For information about the MPSC, visit www.michigan.gov/mpsc, sign up for its monthly newsletter or other listservs. Follow the MPSC on Facebook, X/Twitter or LinkedIn.

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