News : Scam phone calls to utility customers continue into summer

Callers threaten service disconnection and target customers with Hispanic surnames

Alliant Energy today reminded customers to be wary of scam phone calls, as complaints similar to those received in winter and spring are continuing into the summer. Similar to a scam that has been in occurring locally and nationally, customers report receiving phone calls that threaten electric service disconnection and ask them to purchase a prepaid card.

Alliant Energy does not ask customers to purchase prepaid credit cards nor make immediate cash payments over the phone. This scam appears to target Spanish-speaking customers, but can happen to anyone.

· If someone calls claiming they represent Alliant Energy and they demand immediate payment or personal information, hang up and call us. Do not give in to a high-pressure caller seeking personal information. We have several secure and convenient payment options listed at alliantenergy.com/paymentoptions.

· Beware that scammers can spoof caller-ID displays, which means they can mask the call’s true origin and make it appear as if it the call is coming from a utility company.

· Do not provide your Social Security number, credit card numbers or bank account information to anyone who requests that information during an unsolicited phone call or an unannounced visit.

Customers should report attempted scams to local law enforcement and the Iowa Attorney General by visiting iowaattorneygeneral.org, or calling 1-888-777-4590

Queremos que usted este alerta sobre estafas que al parecer estan dirigidas a nuestros clientes que hablan español. Usando la amenaza de desconectar el servicio, los estafadores los convencen de comprar tarjetas de credito prepagadas y de que les den información. Si usted recibe una llamada que parece sospechosa, cuelgue inmediatamente! Nosotros no solicitamos pagos de nuestros clientes a tráves de tarjetas de credito prepagadas. Tenemos muchas opciones convenientes y seguras para hacer sus pagos las cuales puede encontrar en alliantenergy.com/paymentoptions.