Police and Alliant Energy warn of phone scam

MASON CITY – Alliant Energy is warning of scam calls once again occurring in our area using the threat of service disconnection to convince customers to purchase prepaid cards and provide the payment information over the phone. Some variations of the scam call will include call back numbers that sound legitimate. The Police Department has received complaints from people who are getting these calls. The targets of the scam calls are usually businesses. Alliant Energy has stated they do not ask customers to purchase prepaid credit cards and they do not ask for payment over email. One of the keys to recognizing this scam is the request for payment in some type of untraceble format such as a Green Dot card. If you have any concern at all about the legitimacy of a caller claiming to be Alliant Energy, no matter how convincing the caller may be, hang up and call Alliant directly at 1-800-ALLIANT (800-255-4268). Alliant Energy insists that is the only number to call to contact them. Alliant Energy is well aware of this scam and anyone calling you legitmately from Alliant Energy will understand your hesitation.
If you having any dealings with someone claiming to be a representative of Alliant Energy, whether by phone or in person, and you are unsure, contact Alliant at 1-800-ALLIANT (800- 255-4268) to verify the identity. Check Alliant’s website for more information on recognizing legitimate representatives. If you suffer a loss of money or your personal information due to a scam call, please contact us to make a report. Even if you don’t have a loss you can call us if you have useful information such as a phone number from your caller ID or that you were given by the scammer.