Wyoming: Black Hills Energy Warns Customers of Phone Scam
Written by Andrew-Rossi on February 3, 2022
Another scam may be circulating in Park County, threatening and coercing money from Black Hills Energy customers by targeting their winter energy bills.
Black Hills Energy has been receiving reports from customers regarding attempted scam calls. While the scammers are making the typical threats and requests, they’re targeting something extremely important to all Park County residents – their heating bill.
During these calls, customers are told their bill is delinquent and service will be disconnected unless they pay the caller. The scammers are directing customers to make payments by downloading online payment assistance apps.
Courtesy Black Hills Energy
Black Hills Energy warns the company is not making any such calls for payment to any Wyoming residents.
Phone calls demanding immediate payment are not how Black Hills Energy deals with delinquent payments. Any customer concerns about the identity of someone claiming to represent the company are encouraged to report it to Black Hills Energy directly.
Additional tips:
- Don’t give in to a high-pressure visit or call seeking personal information or attempting to sell you anything
- If someone calls claiming to represent your local utility and they demand immediate payment or personal information, hang up and call the customer service number on your utility bill.
- Verify whether a Black Hills Energy employee is dispatched to your location
- Black Hills Energy employees and contractors wear shirts with the Black Hills Energy logo, carry a company-issued photo I.D., and drive logoed vehicles. Employees will gladly wait outside while you call the company to verify their identity.
- Never provide your Social Security number, credit card numbers, or bank account information to anyone during an unsolicited phone call or an unannounced visit.
Utility scams and scammers threatening residents in the guise of local agencies are nothing new in Park County.
Last October, several Park County residents reported fraudulent phone calls. Scammers posed as employees of the Billing Departments in Cody and Powell. The callers demanded immediate utility payments – something no Park County government will ever do – or their utilities would be cut off.
In July 2020, some Cody residents were contacted about a utility bill rebate which was theirs for the taking – once they revealed enough sensitive information.
In November 2020, another scam tried to get money from Park County residents by threatening them with jail time. Scammers posed as employees of the Park County Sheriff’s Office, using the Sheriff’s actual phone number. The scammer demanded cash or gift cards from the victim so they could avoid arrest.
If any customers are genuinely struggling to pay their energy bills this winter, there is actual assistance available.
Black Hills Energy customers who are experiencing financial hardships affecting their ability to timely pay their energy bills can visit the Black Hills Energy website. Several options are available thru the company to assist households during those hardships.
