Minnesota Department of Commerce/Alliant Energy Report
The Minnesota Department of Commerce and Alliant Energy are teaming up to warn consumers about a recent scam targeting utility customers throughout the Midwest. Alliant Energy customers in Wisconsin and Iowa have received calls from individuals impersonating Alliant representatives. The callers then claim a customer’s account is delinquent and demand immediate, full payment to avoid immediate disconnection.
“Before you turn over a dime or any personal information to an unidentified person at the door or on the phone, hang up and call your utility directly,” said Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman. “When dealing with your personal financial information, it is imperative that you verify the identity of the utility representative and know your rights when settling a debt.”
Not all callers are scam artists. Alliant Energy and other Minnesota utilities do work with customers over the phone to set payment arrangements for delinquent accounts. However, Alliant representatives already have customer account information and will work with the customer to arrange payment through a regular payment channel. Alliant Energy does not collect payments in person at a customer’s home or place of business.
“We already know account details about our customers, and when customers fall behind we work collaboratively with them to establish mutually acceptable payment arrangements,” said Tim Heinrich, Director of Customer Support Services for Alliant Energy. “If a customer has any concerns about calls claiming to come from Alliant Energy, they should simply hang up and call us at 1-800-ALLIANT.”
Alliant Energy provides gas and electric utility services to more than 91,000 Minnesota customers in 25 southern Minnesota counties. Any utility customer who suspects they may be a victim of this or a similar debt collection scam is encouraged to contact the Minnesota Department of Commerce to file a complaint.
