SCAM INFO

Scammers often use the threat of disconnection of electric services to cause fear.

This can cloud the judgement of their intended victims. This approach can be effective because no one ever wants to be without power! Consumers Energy wants to provide members with ways to protect themselves and their loved ones from becoming victims of utility payment scams.

If you feel that you are being targeted by a caller or visitor claiming to work for Consumers Energy, report it to your local law enforcement right away.

Anyone can be the target of a scammer.

Be aware of some of the sneaky tactics scammers are using today:

Member Service Representative answering phone

Scammers may call you and pose as a Consumers Energy employee, threatening disconnection and demanding immediate payment for electric bills that they say are past due. Some scammers will even ask for payment information and make you think your bill was paid at that time.

Consumers Energy will never call you and demand immediate payment, require you to purchase and load a gift card, or ask you to use an outside bill pay service like Zelle for payment to avoid a same-day service disconnection. An actual disconnection notice would be provided via mail or posting first.

If the caller says anything that sounds weird or that doesn't make sense to you, hang up and call the co-op at 800-696-6552.
Fake text or email

 

Scammers could send you a fake text message or email claiming a past-due bill.

Always log in to your SmartHub account to view your amount owed, check your last paper bill before clicking or responding to a suspicious message that you are not expecting, or call the co-op at 800-696-6552 to check the status of your account.
Fake billing statement

 

Scammers may send a fictitious billing statement.

If you bill does not look correct for any reason, contact the cooperative by email at info@consumersenergy.coop or by calling 800-696-6552.
Broken electric equipment

 

Scammers could call you claiming that you must pay for emergency electric repairs.

We will never charge you to inspect an outage. If you have an outage, power issues, or you see damage to co-op equipment, please call us right away at 800-696-6552.
Call us now

 

Fake emergency numbers may populate when searching on Google, Bing, or another search engine.

You can always visit our website to track down important phone numbers and confirm that the phone number is ours. Consumers Energy’s phone number is listed at the bottom of every page on the site.

Follow these additional steps to stay safe:

  • Hang up if you suspect a scam or feel threatened.
  • Call Consumers Energy at 800-696-6552 if you want to verify that someone claiming to be a co-op employee is actually who they say they are or that work is being done in your area.
  • Sign up for past-due bill reminders and payment confirmation emails in SmartHub under Settings.

Remember, you’re less likely to fall for a scam when you know the status of your bill. Call Consumers Energy at 800-696-6552 with any questions.