Consumers Energy Warns Customers About Utility-Bill Payment Scam

JACKSON -- Consumers Energy is warning its customers to be aware of a nationwide utility-bill payment scam that's made its way to Michigan.

Under the scam, a customer may be contacted in person, through fliers, social media or text messages. The scammers claim that President Obama will pay a person's utility bills through a new federal program.

Customers are asked to provide their social security numbers or other personal identifying information in exchange for a bank routing number that will allegedly pay their utility bills. In reality, there is no money, and customers believe they have paid their bills when in fact they have not.

"For your protection, never disclose personal information, including financial account numbers or social security numbers, over the phone or internet to someone you do not know," said Doug Detterman, customer care manager for Consumers Energy.

Customers with questions or concerns that they may have participated in this scam can call Consumers Energy at (800) 477-5050.

More information on this scam, including tips to avoid becoming a victim, is available at www.bbb.org/us/article/president-obama-is-not-offering-to-pay-your-utility-bills-34928.

Tips on preventing utility fraud include the following:  www.michigan.gov/documents/mpsc/mpsc-ca_utilityservicefraud_211946_7.pdf

Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE:  CMS), provides natural gas and electricity to 6.8 million of Michigan's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

More about Consumers Energy at www.consumersenergy.com.