Iowa utilities warn of phone scams

Alliant Energy and MidAmerican Energy, Iowa's largest electric and natural gas providers, are warning the public about a spate of telephone scams.

Customers of the utilities have reported more than 400 fraudulent calls since the beginning of the year. The calls frequently target small businesses and Spanish-speaking customers.

In most scam cases, callers pose as utility employees and threaten to shut off power unless the customer makes an immediate payment. Alliant and MidAmerican, which have joined forces to fight the fraudulent activity, said many customers have lost money because they provided the scam callers with a credit card number or a prepaid debit card.

The scammers are persistent and aggressive, using such tactics as:

l Spoofing caller ID to make it appear they are calling from the utility.

l Impersonating energy auditors in an attempt to get inside homes or businesses.

l Intimidating customers by showing up at their front door or claiming a crew is en route to disconnect service.

l Requiring customers to make an immediate payment using either a credit card over the phone or a prepaid (Green Dot) card.

l Claiming there is an issue with electric or natural gas service equipment inside or outside the house and requesting immediate payment.

Customers receiving what they consider to be a suspicious phone call are urged to hang up and call local police and their utility provider to report the scam and check on the status of their account.

Customers can call MidAmerican Energy at (888) 427-5632 or Alliant Energy at (800) 255-4268.

If customers are behind on bills, they will receive several notifications from Alliant Energy or MidAmerican Energy. Both utilities said disconnection is a last resort, not a first step in the process.

Customers are urged to never give out personal information, such as credit card or account numbers. The utilities will not ask for that kind of information over the phone.

If customers are approached at their home or business, identification should be requested. They also should call their utility provider to verify the reason for the personal visit.