DES MOINES, Iowa – Sept. 11, 2013 – MidAmerican Energy Company is warning the public about a telephone scam impacting its Hispanic customers in Iowa. MidAmerican Energy has received reports of suspicious callers posing as utility employees and telling customers that they are behind on their electric bills or need equipment repairs and have a short time to make a payment. The customers are told to purchase a ‘Green Dot’ prepaid debit card and call back with the serial number of the card to avoid having their electricity shut off.

Since mid-August, the scam artists have targeted MidAmerican Energy’s Hispanic customers in Des Moines. This week, the scam artists started making calls in Sioux City and the Quad Cities. The calls show up on caller ID as 888-201-7958 or 888-288-5657. Customers should not return calls to this number or any number provided by the scam artist.

MidAmerican Energy reminds its customers that credit card numbers, account information and personal information should not be provided in response to a suspicious or unsolicited call. If a customer receives a suspicious call or any other unusual contact or offer related to energy services from a person or the company, the customer should end the call immediately and notify local law enforcement. The customer should then contact MidAmerican Energy at 888-427-5632 to report the incident and seek assistance. MidAmerican Energy also urges its customers to tell friends and family about the scam to help increase awareness.