



MILWAUKEE -- We Energies officials are reporting scammers are hard at work -- targeting customers in southeastern Wisconsin.



We Energies officials said as of noon on Thursday, January 19th, they'd taken 100 reports of scams, mostly from residential and business customers in the Milwaukee and Menomonee Falls areas. This is the most reports they've ever received in one day.









Jim and Jodi Braun run an organized business, Quality Rubber Stamp. So the phone call they received on Thursday, was a shock.





Jim and Jodi Braun





"Said that they were from We Energies collection department. We were past due on our bill, and they were on their way out to disconnect the service," said Jim Bruan, Quality Rubber Stamp.



The small business owners initially worried when the caller told them they owed We Energies $1,000.






"I pulled my file out and it showed my statements and it all showed a zero balance the payments were all made," said Jim.



That's when Jim Braun got suspicious.



"To an unsuspecting person they would have no idea it was a scam number," said Jim.



FOX6 News called the number back and it sounds legitimate.



The caller on the other end said, "Thank you very much for calling, this is Brad how may I be of assistance?"



The person on the other end eventually hung up. According to We Energies, Braun's business is just one of more than 100 reporting intimidating scam calls on Thursday.





We Energies





"In just one day, over 100 is very alarming," said Amy Jahns, We Energies spokesperson.



In all of 2016, We Energies received 800 reports of scam calls. Officials are telling customers to be alert.



"If it sound suspicious, it probably is. Hang up the phone and give us a call right away," said Jahns.



We Energies will never demand payments or threaten disconnection. They say your best bet is to call the number on your energy bill.



"If you're unsure, just hang up and give us a call," said Jahns.





We Energies





Most of the business customers that have been targeted are auto body shops and veterinary and dental offices, officials said.



The criminals claim the customers are behind on their bills and may face disconnection unless an immediate payment is made with a pre-paid debit card.



We Energies does not solicit payments in this manner.



If you get a call that sounds suspicious, hang up immediately and call We Energies at 800-242-9137.



Scammers are sophisticated. Using online databases, they know your name and address, and claim to have additional information about your account. Don’t be fooled, officials said.









The below tips are being offered by We Energies officials so that you don't fall victim:





Phone scam



Using a service disconnection threat, scammers try to convince you to purchase prepaid debit cards and provide the card information to them.



How it works:





Scammers are sophisticated. Using online databases, they know your name and address, and claim to have additional information about your account. Don’t be fooled.



Call us anytime at 800-242-9137 to:





The scammers also are intimidating. If you do not cooperate, they apply more pressure by implying that if you do not act quickly, your power may be off for days. They will say anything to frighten you.



We do not solicit payment from customers in a threatening manner. If you get a call that sounds suspicious, hang up immediately and call us. If you act quickly, you may be able to request a refund if the scammer has not yet cashed the pre-paid card. MoneyPak, the company that issues the Green Dot cards, has an online tool that allows you to request a refund.



Front porch scam



Identifying themselves as utility or city workers, scammers try to gain access to your residence or business. How it works:





All of our employees and contractors carry an identification card. Every card displays a photo of the worker and our company name and logo. Some cards include the individual’s ID number and our company phone number instead of the individual’s name. Contractor ID cards show the name of their company.



When in doubt, call us at 800-242-9137, and we will confirm our employee’s or contractor’s identity.



Impersonating a utility worker in Wisconsin is a felony punishable with a maximum fine of $10,000 and/or a prison term of three-and-half years.



If you experience a loss through any scam, report the crime to local law enforcement.



