Xcel warns about billing scams

Xcel Energy is warning its customers about a recent increase in the number of scams targeting utility customers. The scams generally involve attempts to illegally obtain payments for fictitious utility bills.

In many of the scams, people impersonating Xcel Energy representatives or collection agency personnel contact customers, telling them that they have an outstanding debt and are about to lose service.

Usually, the impersonator directs the customer to go to a local retailer and purchase a pre-paid cash card. The impersonator then persuades the customer to provide the card number over the phone.

The scams can also include the impersonators giving the customer a fake employee name or ID number or offering to come to the customer’s residence to pick up the payment. Impersonators also appear to have “spoofed” an Xcel telephone number, making it look like the call is from the company.

Xcel advises that customers should only use authorized methods and proven banking practices to pay their bills. Credit card numbers and any personal information should not be provided to suspicious callers.

Customers should report incidents to Xcel Energy at 1-800-895-4999.

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