Wisconsin Public Service recently received several customer calls about scammers claiming to be WPS or We Energies employees and demanding funds to prevent a disconnection of service.
Spokesperson Kerry Spees says a new twist surfaced as customers also are reporting that they are receiving emails attempting to obtain bank account numbers and claiming to represent WPS. Additionally, the scammers say they're from WE Energies, though WE Energies doesn't service this portion of the state...
"....they may not be the 'brightest bulbs' in the business, but if you send out enough calls or send out enough emails, they're hoping to find somebody to react and make a payment to them. We urge customers to be extremely cautious. WPS wouldn't act like that..."
Spees says a customer receives a number of contacts before disconnection. He says a WPS representative cannot take payment in the field. He says they never would demand a prepaid credit card for payment, or ask for confidential information like a Social Security number. He says tell the caller you will call them back so you can verify your account information with WPS.
He says if you get this type of call, contact the state Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-433-7128.
