Minnesota Utilities Unite to Fight Scams

For the first time, Minnesota utilities including Beltrami Electric Cooperative, are joining forces to fight back against scams. Reports of phone and email billing scams targeting Minnesota utility customers are increasing at an alarming rate, representing thousands of dollars lost by customer victims. In an effort to shut down scammers, the Minnesota utility coalition today launched "Slam the Scam," an awareness campaign aimed at warning customers and preventing scams. The coalition is encouraging customers, who think they are being targeted by a scammer; to simply end the conversation – "slam" down the phone. Customers should then contact the utility to report the incident.

Utility companies across the country are reporting an increase in scams aimed at customers. Some Minnesota utilities are experiencing an increase of more than 300 percent in customer scam attempts over 2013. Scammers are targeting all classes of customers, but particularly small businesses such as restaurants. In most cases, a scammer calls during busy hours of operation and threatens to disconnect the customer's utility service unless the customer makes a payment immediately.

"This exact scenario happened to a Bemidji business earlier this year, as the scammer pretended to be a representative from Beltrami Electric," said Sid Sletten, Director of Finance and Member Services. "The targeted business is not a member however, so they knew right away something was wrong. Instead of falling for the scam, they contacted the Co-­‐op so we would be on alert for any additional attempts. This issue is important to us, especially as this trend continues to grow."

Scammers are using various tactics to con customers into providing payment. Posing as utility employees, scammers have been known to:

• Tell intended victims their accounts are past due and threaten to disconnect their utility service if they do not make payments immediately.

• Require victims to pay using a pre-­‐paid debit card, such as a Green Dot card.

• Manipulate caller ID to display a fake number, which may actually be your utility's number. This is called "spoofing."

• Email customers phony utility bills that appear to be from an energy provider with an account number, amount due, due date and a link to make the payment.

Protecting personal and financial customer data is a top priority for utilities such as Beltrami Electric, and they all are working to provide solutions to protect the public from scams. Utilities want customers to know how to identify a scam. If they are behind on their bills, they will receive a written notice before service disconnection. Customers who have not received a disconnection notice in the mail should not engage anyone on the phone or by email demanding to take payment. Instead, customers should hang up and contact their respective utilities to verify account status and report the attempted scam. They are also encouraged to report the incident to local law enforcement. Utilities offer the following tips to avoid being victimized:

• Never give out personal information or credit card numbers or wire money as a result of an unexpected or unsolicited call or email if you cannot validate the authenticity.

• Be suspicious if the caller is insisting on the use of a pre-­‐paid debit card or an immediate payment. Utilities provide many options for payment.

• Know that your utility will contact customers first by U.S. mail about past due bills. You will be sent a disconnection notice in writing before your service is turned off.

• If it just doesn't feel right, "slam the scam" and end the conversation.

• Your utility will welcome the call to verify your account status. Contact your utility using a number provided on a recent bill or the company's website.

The Better Business Bureau of Minnesota is closely tracking these types of scams and has provided an information video to help protect the public, which you can find at this address: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GF2rtapuIg&list=UU9YhCgqy3EbhFaDOsV TasJg. If you have any further questions, please contact Beltrami Electric at 218-­‐ 444-­‐2540.

Beltrami Electric Cooperative is a member-­‐owned electric distribution cooperative located in Bemidji, Minn. Established in 1940, Beltrami Electric provides power to almost 17,000 member-­‐owners within a 3,000 square mile service area located in the lakes region of north-­‐central Minnesota.