DTE Energy wants to educate customers on the red flags of scammers so you don’t lose your money.
Scammers look for new ways to trick customers into financial scams by improving their technology to impersonate companies like DTE. These scammers trick customers into sending money by threatening to disconnect service within a matter of hours or even minutes. Unfortunately, sometimes the threat of losing their energy service scares customers into paying large sums of money or sharing account and financial information.
One popular scam at the moment involves scammers asking DTE customers to pay with unusual forms of payment, such as Green Dot pre-paid debit cards, Western Union, Bitcoin, Cash App or Zelle. Another popular scam comes through as a text message, where the scammers will send a bar code or URL that can be used at popular retailers to pay with cash. None of these methods are viable for payment to DTE.
It’s critical for customers to recognize the red flags so they do not fall victim to energy scammers. Trust your gut if you receive a call, text, email or home visit that just doesn’t seem right. If you are unsure if someone at your door or on the phone is actually from DTE, call DTE customer service at 800.477.4747.
Here’s what DTE wants all customers to know:
- Even if your Caller ID shows DTE Energy, it may still be an imposter.
- DTE does not ask for unusual forms of payment such as Green Dot, Cash App, Western Union, Bitcoin, Zelle, or any type of gift card.
- DTE representatives are never aggressive and do not threaten immediate shut off if a bill isn’t paid on the spot.
- DTE does not visit homes to threaten shutoff or collect payment for a late bill.
- DTE does not use aggressive tactics to get into a customer’s home.
- DTE does not ask for your DTE account number.
- DTE does not claim a customer is entitled to a refund or rebate and ask for bank account or credit card information to make the alleged refund.
- DTE does not ask for your personal information for a government program that claims to reduce energy bills.
Here are a few key things to ask or do if you think you are talking to a scammer:
- If you are called on the phone, ask the person claiming to be from DTE to tell you your account number and current amount due. If this information does not match what is on your current bill, the caller is most likely a scammer. Report the call to your local police department and to DTE.
- If you’re unsure of an email or text message you receive, contact DTE to verify your account status. Never click on a link, scan a barcode or scan a QR code from a contact you are unsure of.
- If you are visited at your home or business, ask the person claiming to be from DTE to show you their DTE badge. If they cannot show one, refuse entry and close your door. All DTE employees and contractors are required to have their badge on them at all times. Report the activity to your local police department and DTE.
- In any case, if you are unsure of a potential DTE representative, please contact DTE at 800.477.4747 to verify the status of your account.
Here’s what to do if you think you’ve been a victim of a scam:
- Contact your local police immediately. Please also alert DTE afterwards by calling 800.477.4747 to speak with a customer service representative who can confirm the status of your account and make appropriate arrangements for payment, if needed.
- If you think your identity may be compromised, call your local police, watch for new accounts opened in your name, and report any unusual activity to DTE immediately.
Scan the QR code below to learn more about the red flags of DTE impersonators.
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