ALGONA – A utility bill scam has been reported to police in Algona and elsewhere in the state, and they warn to never give out personal information to strangers on the phone.
The Algona Police Department says they received a phone call from a business in Algona. The business claimed to have received a call from “Alliant Energy” saying they have a disconnect notice for their business. The caller demanded the address and account numbers for that business. The reporting party gave them the address and nothing else. Then “Alliant” caller put the reporting party on hold and when he came back on the line, he then told the reporting party that they needed payment and asked why they have not paid thier bill. The caller then asked the business for credit card and/or bank account information. When the reporting party (business) told the caller he would send a check, the caller started yelling profanities at him, police say. No account information was given.
Other police departments in Iowa are also claiming similar scams at this time.
Alliant Energy Tuesday warned that “Scam attempts have been reported across our service areas in Iowa AND Wisconsin. We won’t call threatening to disconnect immediately or demanding card payment. Our field crews do not collect payments. We will never ask you to purchase prepaid credit cards to avoid disconnection. We won’t ask for payment or personal information over email. If you get a suspicious call, hang up, then call us at 1-800-ALLIANT or call local authorities.”
Police also warn to not give any bank account and or credit card information over the phone unless you know it is not a scam or fraud call.
