Consumers Energy and the Michigan State Police are warning Michigan business owners and residents to protect themselves from ongoing customer scams.

The current round of scams has hit Kent County 124 times, the second most of any county in Michigan.

“We are aware of over 1,000 attempts by criminals to con small business owners into making payments they believe are intended for Consumers Energy,” said Annette Gardiner, Consumers Energy’s vice president for shared services.

Small businesses served by Consumers Energy have made at least $81,000 in payments to scammers this year, according to information the energy provider has compiled.

Typically, a caller will contact a small business, such as a store or a restaurant; pretend to be from Consumers Energy; and demand payment within an hour or two using a prepaid credit or debit card.

Consumers Energy does not demand payment via a prepaid card, a preferred method of many scammers.

The scam has been reported in 57 counties.

Michigan counties with the most reports this year of phone scammers pretending to be from Consumers Energy:

  • GENESEE – 149 calls, $15,883 paid
    KENT – 124 calls, $7,061 paid
    KALAMAZOO – 94 calls, $16,228 paid
    INGHAM – 76 calls, $9,161 paid
    JACKSON – 50 calls, $1,239 paid
    SAGINAW – 45 calls, $3,900 paid
    OTTAWA – 37 calls, $460 paid
    LENAWEE – 34 calls, $2,007 paid
    ALLEGAN – 33 calls, $1,750 paid
    BAY – 32 calls, $3,364 paid

Consumers Energy says it does not demand payment in less than 24 hours, nor does it force customers to use a single payment method, such as a prepaid credit card. The energy provider encouraged customers with concerns to call 800-477-5050.

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