Another major utility company is warning its customers about a potential phone scam. Officials with Alliant Energy said today (Thursday) a small number of their customers have reported receiving calls from individuals claiming to be Alliant Energy representatives. The callers claim a customer’s account is delinquent and demand immediate, full payment to avoid immediate disconnection. The utility company says they do work with customers over the phone to set payment arrangements for delinquent accounts, but an Alliant Energy representative will already have customer account information and will work with the customer to arrange payment through one of the company’s regular payment channels.  A list of these options is available at alliantenergy.com/paymybill. Alliant Energy does not collect payments in person at a customer’s home or place of business. 

Tim Heinrich, Director of Customer Support Services at Alliant, says they already know account details about their customers, and those customers fall behind, they will work collaboratively with them, “To establish mutually acceptable payment arrangements.”  Henirch says if a customer has any concerns about calls claiming to come from Alliant Energy, they should simply hang up and call 1-800-ALLIANT. 

Alliant Energy has received word that similar calls and in-person scams have been occurring with customers at a number of utilities across the country. On Tuesday, KJAN reported officials with MidAmerican Energy was warning its customers about “Past Due” account, phone scams. The company said persons posing as MidAmerican Energy customer service associates or attorneys are calling, claiming the customer’s account is past due, and payment is needed immediately to avoid disconnection. The caller follows-up by asking for your credit card number.

Both utilities are working with local law enforcement to investigate suspicious calls or other activity.