Westar Energy has received reports this past week that imposters are attempting to trick businesses into buying prepaid cards and provide the numbers via phone.
Scam phone calls
Be on the alert for fraudulent calls claiming to be Westar employees. If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and call Westar at 800-383-1183. Suspicious activity should also be reported to local law enforcement.
Several customers have contacted us after receiving suspicious calls. In most cases, the caller claims to be a Westar Energy customer service representative and tries to get the customer to provide credit card information or other personal information, telling the customer a check has bounced or he/she has a past-due bill. In some cases, the caller says that the customer’s meter is defective or may catch fire.
Westar agents can provide a name and extension if requested. For past-due accounts, calls from Westar Energy requesting payment are never made the same day as the disconnection.
Scammers Can Use Fake Caller ID
Scammers are now able to use phoney caller ID numbers to target consumers. Using phoney caller ID services to spoof numbers, scammers are able to convince victims they are receiving a call from the company calling. Few people think that names and phone numbers appearing on their caller ID screens are not genuine. Unfortunately, all scammers need is Internet access and a few dollars to find a number of services that can supply fake caller ID numbers.
Identity thieves who want to collect information such as your bank account or other financial account numbers, social security number, date of birth or mother’s maiden name, sometimes use caller ID spoofing to make it appear they are calling from your bank, credit card company, or even a government agency.
Tips to avoid being scammed:
- Don’t assume the information on your caller ID is always accurate.
- Never give out personal/financial information over the phone unless you know for a fact whom you are dealing with.
- Don’t hesitate to hang up the phone and call us at 800-383-1183.
Pre-paid Debit Card Scam
We’ve heard reports of scammers calling and threatening to disconnect service if a customer does not purchase a pre-paid card and call back with card information. Pre-paid debit cards or Green Dot reloadable debit cards are a preferred money-moving method for scammers. Westar will never ask a customer to purchase a pre-paid debit card to pay for service. Westar’s disconnect process is outlined at the bottom of this page.
Email Scam
Utility customers around the country are being targeted in a scam that involves fake electricity bills being emailed that say payment is due to their utility immediately.
In the event you receive a suspicious email, please keep in mind:
- Westar does not email you with threats to pay your account. Customers who are behind on their electric bills receive written notices of possible disconnection and how to prevent it.
- Monthly email reminders do not contain specific bill information. The only time we email an actual statement is upon customer request.
- Delete emails from utilities that are not your service provider.
- Delete suspicious emails that require immediate action or ask to verify personal information.
