FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:    Thursday, November 2, 2017 
CONTACT:  Sara Rabern (605) 773-3215   

PIERRE, S.D. – Attorney General Marty Jackley is warning South Dakota consumers to avoid a scam involving callers posing as utility company employees who attempt to obtain credit card or bank account information over the phone.

“Scammers are calling and claiming to be employees of legitimate power companies and threaten to shut off consumers’ power if they do not provide a credit card number or bank account number immediately,” said Jackley. “These callers are also using caller ID spoofing, where the call appears to be coming from legitimate utility providers. Hang up and call your utility company to confirm your account status.”

These callers are threatening immediate action if the alleged delinquent account is not satisfied. The cold weather and the threat of power being turned off, often triggers consumer to react quickly.  The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division confirms they have received many complaints from consumers in western South Dakota, but will likely spread across the state. 

If you believe you have been a victim of this scam, report the activity to your utility company and contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 800-300-1986 and consumerhelp@state.sd.us.

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