Xcel Warning of Scammer Posing As Employees

(KNSI) – A St. Cloud area energy provider is warning customers about scammers posing as employees. Xcel Energy says scammers are contacting customers by phone to try and take their money.

According to a press release, the scammers tell the customer their account is past due, and service will be disconnected if a large payment isn’t made, usually within the hour. The scammer tells the customer to buy a prepaid debit or credit card and demands the customer call back to pay the utility. The scammers often sound professional and can manipulate caller ID, so numbers look like they’re coming from Xcel Energy.

Customers who doubt the authenticity of someone claiming to be from Xcel Energy and asking for payment should hang up immediately.

Xcel Energy says Customers should be very suspicious if a caller requires a single form of payment, such as requiring the use of a prepaid debit card.

Xcel Energy offers many options for payment and will never ask or require a customer with a past account to purchase a prepaid debit card to avoid disconnection. Xcel Energy customers will initially be contacted by U.S. mail about past due bills, not over the phone. You will also be sent a disconnection notice in writing before your power is turned off. Customers should never wire money, provide bank card numbers, and social security numbers to an unverified source.

They can also access their current account information online. Customers should then call Xcel Energy Customer Service at 1-800-895-4999 or our Business Solutions Center at 1-800-481-4700 (M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) to report the experience.