Consumers Energy Alerts Michiganders to Stay on Guard, Protect Themselves Against Scams
Consumers Energy is urging Michigan residents to be vigilant against utility scams, particularly during the holiday season and Utility Scam Awareness Day. The company's VP of IT and security, Jim Beechey, emphasized the importance of protecting customers from fraud across various channels. The warning comes after an incident where criminals posing as utility workers committed a homicide in Rochester Hills. Consumers Energy, serving 6.8 million Michigan residents, provided several safety tips including: verifying employee identification badges, calling their security command center to confirm worker identity, and being aware that legitimate employees don't demand immediate payment or threaten immediate shut-offs.
Consumers Energy esorta i residenti del Michigan a fare attenzione alle truffe relative ai servizi pubblici, in particolare durante le festività e il Giorno della Consapevolezza sulle Truffe dei Servizi Pubblici. Il VP IT e sicurezza dell'azienda, Jim Beechey, ha sottolineato l'importanza di proteggere i clienti dalle frodi attraverso vari canali. L'avviso arriva dopo un incidente in cui criminali che si spacciavano per lavoratori dei servizi pubblici hanno commesso un omicidio a Rochester Hills. Consumers Energy, che serve 6,8 milioni di residenti del Michigan, ha fornito diversi suggerimenti per la sicurezza, tra cui: verificare i distintivi di identificazione dei dipendenti, contattare il loro centro di comando della sicurezza per confermare l'identità dei lavoratori e essere consapevoli che i dipendenti legittimi non richiedono pagamenti immediati né minacciano disconnessioni immediate.
Consumers Energy está instando a los residentes de Michigan a estar alertas contra estafas de servicios públicos, especialmente durante la temporada navideña y el Día de Concienciación sobre Estafas de Servicios Públicos. El vicepresidente de TI y seguridad de la empresa, Jim Beechey, enfatizó la importancia de proteger a los clientes contra fraudes a través de varios canales. La advertencia llega después de un incidente en el que criminales que se hacían pasar por trabajadores de servicios públicos cometieron un homicidio en Rochester Hills. Consumers Energy, que atiende a 6.8 millones de residentes de Michigan, proporcionó varios consejos de seguridad, incluidos: verificar las identificaciones de los empleados, llamar a su centro de comando de seguridad para confirmar la identidad de los trabajadores y ser consciente de que los empleados legítimos no exigen pagos inmediatos ni amenazan con desconexiones inmediatas.
Consumers Energy는 미시간 주민들에게 연말연시와 유틸리티 사기 인식의 날 동안 유틸리티 사기에 대한 경각심을 가질 것을 촉구하고 있습니다. 회사의 IT 및 보안 부사장인 짐 비치(Jim Beechey)는 다양한 경로를 통해 고객을 사기로부터 보호하는 중요성을 강조했습니다. 이 경고는 로체스터 힐즈에서 유틸리티 근무자로 가장한 범죄자들이 살인을 저지른 사건 이후에 나왔습니다. Consumers Energy는 680만 미시간 주민들을 대상으로 하며, 직원 신원 확인, 근무자의 신원을 확인하기 위해 보안 지휘 센터에 전화하기, 그리고 정당한 직원이 즉각적인 결제를 요구하거나 즉시 차단 위협을 하지 않는다는 것을 인지하는 등의 여러 안전 팁을 제공했습니다.
Consumers Energy exhorte les résidents du Michigan à rester vigilants face aux arnaques aux services publics, en particulier pendant la saison des fêtes et lors de la Journée de Sensibilisation aux Arnaques aux Services Publics. Le vice-président des TI et de la sécurité de l'entreprise, Jim Beechey, a souligné l'importance de protéger les clients contre la fraude à travers divers canaux. L'avertissement fait suite à un incident où des criminels se faisant passer pour des travailleurs des services publics ont commis un homicide à Rochester Hills. Consumers Energy, qui dessert 6,8 millions de résidents du Michigan, a fourni plusieurs conseils de sécurité, notamment : vérifier les badges d'identification des employés, appeler leur centre de commande de sécurité pour confirmer l'identité des travailleurs et être conscient que les employés légitimes ne demandent pas de paiement immédiat ni ne menacent de coupures immédiates.
Consumers Energy fordert die Bewohner von Michigan auf, aufmerksam gegenüber Betrügereien im Zusammenhang mit Versorgungsunternehmen zu sein, insbesondere während der Feiertage und am Tag des Bewusstseins für Versorgungsbetrug. Der VP für IT und Sicherheit des Unternehmens, Jim Beechey, betonte die Bedeutung des Schutzes der Kunden vor Betrug über verschiedene Kanäle. Die Warnung folgt auf einen Vorfall, bei dem Kriminelle, die sich als Mitarbeiter von Versorgungsunternehmen ausgaben, in Rochester Hills einen Mord begangen haben. Consumers Energy, das 6,8 Millionen Bewohner Michigans bedient, gab mehrere Sicherheitstipps, darunter: Überprüfung der Mitarbeiterausweise, Kontaktaufnahme mit ihrem Sicherheitszentrum zur Bestätigung der Identität der Mitarbeiter und das Bewusstsein dafür, dass legitime Mitarbeiter keine sofortige Zahlung verlangen oder mit sofortigen Abschaltungen drohen.
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"Consumers Energy is always working to protect our customers from identity theft and fraud, whether it's over the phone and Internet, or someone knocking at your door," said Jim Beechey, Consumers Energy's vice president of information technology and security. "We can't stop criminals from trying to cheat people, but we can make sure we're all aware of risks and safeguard ourselves."
On Oct. 11, 2024, authorities say two people posing as DTE Energy employees committed a homicide at a home in
He suggested that people can contact Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050 to report suspicious activity. He also offered the following tips to customers:
- Consumers Energy employees are honest about who we are and what we do. An employee or contractor who comes to your door will wear a company identification badge, and will gladly show it upon request.
- You can call 800-760-3295 with the person's name to confirm the identity of any visitor claiming to work on behalf of Consumers Energy. This number will connect anyone with our security command center and is covered around the clock.
- We try to provide advance notice if we need to get into your home, although that will not always be the case in an emergency. During emergencies we may need to perform safety checks inside and outside surrounding buildings.
- If you believe a scammer is trying to get into your home, lock all your doors and immediately call 9-1-1 and report it to the police.
- Consumers Energy does not threaten customers with immediate shut-off, and we make every attempt to contact people before we reach a point where service might be disconnected. We do not require a specific form of payment for a bill and will not ask for personal information.
- Be aware of online scammers who aim to trick people into calling bogus phone numbers and obtain access to credit cards, bank accounts and other personal information. Scammers often request payment for services like starting new accounts, which usually don't require a deposit, or tell the caller they have an outstanding balance they need to pay immediately.
Learn more at ConsumersEnergy.com/scams.
Consumers Energy is among 150 energy providers that are part of Utilities United Against Scams, recognizing the threats that customers face across the nation. Utility Scam Awareness Day is Wednesday, although Beechey cautioned that people can be targeted by criminals at any time of year.
"We understand people can feel uncomfortable knowing there are so many threats from people who profit by doing harm," Beechey said. "But we can also arm ourselves against scammers by being alert and knowing the steps we can take to be sure someone is truly acting in good faith."
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