Northwest Iowa — Scammers continue to try to find ways to separate you from your money. The electric bill scam is raising its head again, say Alliant Energy officials.
We’ve heard it before. Alliant says they have reports again of customers in Wisconsin and Iowa receiving calls from scammers pretending to be Alliant Energy. These callers threaten to cut off power in a few hours unless immediate payment is made.
Alliant Energy spokesperson Mike Wagner says that’s just not how they do business. They do NOT call customers and demand immediate payment.
He says they also do not ask for payment over email.
According to Wagner, scammers can make it appear that the calls are coming from Alliant Energy. Some scammers may provide a different phone number that spoofs their answering system and automated menu.
Again, he says Alliant Energy’s official phone number is 1-800-ALLIANT (800-255-4268), and that is the only number to call.
According to Wagner, the power is in the hands of the customer. (no pun intended)
Wagner says that if you receive a call like this:
§ STOP: Scammers are counting on you being too alarmed to check your account status. Hang up the phone.
§ THINK: Chances are you do not owe the amount the scammers claim.
§ CHECK: Visit Alliant’s website or call. He says they can tell you how much is due and when.
That website again is alliantenergy.com. The phone number is 1-800-ALLIANT, which in digits is 1-800-255-4268.
