IOWA’S LARGEST UTILITY IS WARNING ITS CUSTOMERS TO BE WARY IF THEY’RE USING A SEARCH ENGINE TO FIND THE COMPANY’S 800-NUMBER FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE.
MIDAMERICAN ENERGY SPOKESMAN DAN WINTERS SAYS SCAMMERS ARE USING PAID SEARCH ENGINE ADS TO MANIPULATE SEARCH RESULTS AND STEER PEOPLE TO FAKE PHONE NUMBERS — WITH CROOKS WAITING TO TAKE YOUR CALL.
MIDSCAM1 OC……”FALLING FOR THIS” :17
TO PAY A UTILITY BILL ONLINE, CUSTOMERS SHOULD GO THROUGH THE MIDAMERICAN WEBSITE, AND WINTERS SAYS, IF THEY’RE HUNTING FOR THE ADDRESS OR PHONE NUMBER USING A SEARCH ENGINE, TO REVIEW THE RESULTS CAREFULLY BEFORE CLICKING.
MIDSCAM2 OC…….”5-6-3-2″ :16
THE BOGUS NUMBERS ARE CHANGING FREQUENTLY AND WERE YOU TO CALL ONE, THE PERSON WHO ANSWERS WILL BE POSING AS A MIDAMERICAN STAFFER.
MIDSCAM3 OC…….TO SOMEONE’S PERSONAL INFORMATION” :12
HE SAYS IF YOU THINK YOU’RE BEING SCAMMED OR THREATENED, JUST HANG UP.
MIDAMERICAN NEVER DEMANDS IMMEDIATE PAYMENT THROUGH GIFT CARDS, CRYPTOCURRENCY OR OTHER UNCONVENTIONAL PAYMENT METHODS.
