UPPCO issues fraud alert after deadly incident in upstate

It seems like every week brings a report of a new scam. The latest one, however, looks scarier than most.

The Upper Peninsula Power Company, or UPPCO, issued a warning this week about scammers pretending to represent utility companies.

This comes after an incident in Oakland County, in the Detroit suburb of Rochester Hills, on October 11, where two men, posing as utility workers investigating a gas leak, entered a home and killed a man. 72-year-old man and tied him up. his wife, UPPCO states in a press release.

Since then, two people have been arrested, according to the Associated Press. Investigators said two suspects had a clipboard with a dealership logo on them when they knocked on the owner’s door.

UPPCO has provided guidance on how to correctly identify its employees.

“UPCO will never make unannounced visits to a home or business,” said Dan Freeborn, communications and external affairs manager. “Although infrequent, visits are always pre-booked and we do not use intimidation tactics when engaging customers; require immediate payment to prevent services from being disconnected; receive payments at a customer’s home or business; or ask for bank account or credit card information over the phone.”

Customers are reminded that legitimate utility workers will never coerce residents into letting them into their homes, UPPCO advised.

“When in doubt, UPPCO customers are encouraged to ask to see the dealership representative’s company ID or call Customer Service at 906-449-2013 to confirm that work is needed on or near their property. to her,” Freeborn said.

Customers who have been approached by someone who may be impersonating a utility representative should report the incident to local law enforcement or the Michigan State Police.