NorthWestern warns of imposter utility scam in Montana

NorthWestern Energy is warning customers about reported incidents in Montana of scams involving imposter callers fraudulently claiming to be representing the utility company and threatening to shut off service unless immediate payment is made on utility bills.

More than 80 incidents have been reported to the NorthWestern Energy Customer Care Center in Butte as of Wednesday morning.

A government office in Stillwater County received a call from a person claiming there was an emergency and that he was from the utility company. When the caller was told he had reached a government office, he hung up. The Stillwater County official reached out to NorthWestern Energy to warn about the suspected scam.

In Hamilton, a restaurant received a call from a person threatening that utilities would be shut off unless an immediate payment was made.

The caller gave the restaurant a phone number to call and restaurant personnel reached out to a radio journalist in an effort to warn others about the scam. That journalist called the phone number and was hung up on when he asked questions about the calls.

This type of scam activity is not new and has targeted utility customers across Montana and the nation for several years. The scam calls can be very convincing.

“The scammers are telling people their electricity or gas service will be cut off in 30 seconds if payment isn’t made,” said Terri Lewis, NorthWestern Energy Customer Care Supervisor in Butte. “They are nice at first and then get upset when people ask questions. They are very convincing.”

NorthWestern reminds customers to be vigilant when it comes to anyone seeking payment information on utility bills, either in person or via the telephone or internet.

The scammers typically tell customers that their electric or natural gas bill is overdue and service will be shut off if payment is not made quickly.

In some cases, they tell potential victims to purchase pre-paid debit or cash cards sold at retail outlets and to call the scammers with the relevant numbers that allow the cards to be redeemed quickly.

“We’ve also heard reports that the scammers are telling people they need to change their meter and there is a charge,” Lewis said. “That is not true.”

If you think you have received a scam collection call, it is very helpful if you make note of the phone number and share it with NorthWestern customer service representatives. Having such phone numbers can help thwart future scam calls.

Customers with questions or concerns about potential scams should contact NorthWestern Energy to report concerns or questionable calls. Montana customers can contact NorthWestern at 888-467-2669.

NorthWestern does not call customers and demand immediate payment of past-due bills. The utility will provide multiple past-due notices before terminating service.

For those who get a cancellation notification, always verify it by dialing the customer service number on the utility bill.

NorthWestern also recommends not supplying any personal information unless you are sure you are indeed working with the utility.

NorthWestern never asks customers to use a prepaid debit card for payment.

More tips to avoid the most common imposter utility scams are available from Utilities United Against Scams, www.UtilitiesUnited.org: