Don’t Become Victim of a Scam!

From time to time, we receive reports from our members – and sometimes non-members – that they have received a phone call from a scammer claiming to represent GLE, informing them that their account is past due and threatening to shut off their electric service unless they make an immediate payment.

This type of scammer uses these high-pressure tactics hoping you will panic and give in to demands. Scammers want to scare you into paying before you have time to confirm what they are telling you.

If you get a phone call from anyone claiming to be Great Lakes Energy and are unsure of their legitimacy, hang up and call us at 888-485-2537. If the caller provides you with a call-back phone number, DO NOT call that number. Often, these callback numbers are fake. Always call the phone number listed on the company website or bill.

If you receive a call like the one described above and you know your account has a past due balance, don’t panic! Members with a past due balance will receive an automated phone call from GLE to remind them that their account is past due, and immediate payment is necessary to prevent disconnection of electric service. A GLE employee will rarely call members about to be disconnected. If you receive a non-automated call about your account being past due, the safest option is to hang up and call GLE at 888-485-2537 to confirm the information and discuss payment options.

RED FLAGS

• A person calls or texts and states your service will be shut off if you don’t pay immediately.
• Threatens legal action.
• Requires personal information like account number, bank or credit card information, or social security number.
• Requires payment by wire transfer through companies like Western Union or MoneyGram, giving the caller the numbers of a reloadable card or gift card, or paying them with cryptocurrency. These payments are hard to track and almost impossible to get back.
• Provides a call-back phone number different than listed on the website or your bill.

DO

• Be aware of red flags.
• Hang up.
• Report the scam to GLE by calling 888-485-2537, the number you know is real.
• Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission. Reports are shared with more than 3,000 law enforcers to assist law enforcement investigations. http://reportfraud.ftc.gov/
• Report to Michigan Attorney General’s office. Call: 517-335-7622 or Email: [email protected]
• Be sure to let others know about the scam so they can avoid it, too.

DON’T

• Panic!
• Provide personal information.
• Provide any payment information.
• Call any phone number the caller provided.

For more information, the Federal Trade Commission is a great resource: What To Do If You Were Scammed