NorthWestern Energy warns customers about imposter utility scams

NorthWestern Energy warned its customers about imposter utility scams Monday noting that this is National Consumer Protection Week.

“Our Customer Service Representatives receive calls every week from customers reporting scam activity,” NorthWestern Energy Director of Customer Interaction John Thurmond said. “This is a terrible and expensive crime and the more we can do to raise awareness the better it is for all of us.”

NorthWestern Energy noted that is is a member of Utilities United Against Scams (UUAS), a consortium of 125 U.S. and Canadian electric, natural gas, and water companies and their respective trade associations. The group works with regulators, law enforcement and telecommunications partners to stop scams that target utility customers.

In 2018, UUAS and its member companies helped shut down more than 2,000 toll-free numbers scammers used to target utility customers. NorthWestern Energy said it has helped shut down hundreds of numbers with the help of customers who report the phone numbers scammers tell them to call to make a payment.

“Organizations join Utilities United Against Scams to help protect their customers and communities against fraud, and the impact of the coalition’s efforts to combat impostor utility scams is evident,” UUAS Executive Director Monica Martinez said. “The amount of fraudulent toll-free numbers reported by utilities account for roughly half of all numbers reported. In addition to our work shutting down fraudulent toll-free numbers, UUAS also will continue to highlight the most common scam tactics and will provide resources to help utility customers better protect themselves from impostor utility scammers.”