Phone Scam with caller pretending to be from Xcel Energy

[Eric J in MN]

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Xcel Energy says someone has been using their company name to try to scam credit card numbers out of Xcel customers.

The scammer or scammers call the victim and tell them they are overdue on their energy bill, then ask for a credit card to pay the balance.

Xcel said they do sometimes call customers to remind them of a past due balance, but the representative will always be able to confirm the customer's account number.

Anyone who gets a suspicious call is asked to hang up and call Xcel Energy directly at 1-800-895-4999, as well as their local police department.

http://wcco.com/local/xcel.energy.scam.2.1623106.html
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When in doubt regarding a call from a company asking for money, tell them you'll call them back later, and then use a phone number not provided by the caller.